In a tragic series of events leading up to the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, it has been revealed that the 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray, sent a chilling apology to his mother moments before the attack. The heartbreaking message, which read, "I'm sorry, Mom," has emerged as a critical piece of information as the community grapples with the devastating loss of four lives.
The suspect's mother, Marcee Gray, reportedly received the text from her son while she was visiting her father in Fitzgerald, Georgia. Alarmed by the message, Marcee immediately called the school to warn them of an "extreme emergency." According to her sister, Annie Brown, Marcee contacted a school counselor at Apalachee High School, urging them to find her son and check on him urgently. Despite her frantic efforts, the tragic shooting unfolded shortly thereafter.
Details surrounding the tragic incident indicate that the call to the school was made around 9:50 a.m., just 30 minutes before the police were notified of the shooting at 10:20 a.m. Despite the mother's warning, the school was unable to prevent the violence that ensued, leading to the deaths of two students and two teachers, and injuring nine others.
Colt Gray has been charged with four counts of murder and will be tried as an adult. The horrifying events of that day have left the small Georgia community in mourning, as they grapple with the 45th school shooting in the United States this year.
In the aftermath, chilling details of the shooter's actions have emerged. Students have recounted their terrifying experiences, including one student, Bri Jones, who narrowly avoided opening a classroom door after noticing the suspect pulling out a gun. "I froze up and said 'no' to myself," Bri recalled, a decision that may have saved her life and those of her classmates.
Meanwhile, Richard Aspinwall, a math teacher who was among the victims, is remembered as a hero. According to students, Aspinwall left his classroom to investigate the commotion outside and was shot in the chest by Gray. Despite his injury, students pulled him back into the classroom and attempted to stop the bleeding using their shirts, barricading the door to protect themselves.
Colt Gray's father, Colin Gray, has also been charged in connection with the shooting. He faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder for allegedly providing his son with the AR-15-style rifle used in the massacre. The weapon was reportedly a Christmas gift given to Colt despite the boy's history of making online threats, which had previously led to an investigation by law enforcement.
As the community searches for answers, the tragedy has raised questions about the warning signs that were missed and the responsibility of the parents. Colt's grandfather, Charles Polhamus, has publicly condemned his son-in-law, blaming him for the family's downfall and the horrific actions of his grandson. "Colin Gray did this to his family, and he will rot in hell for it," Polhamus said, adding that he believes Colt was driven to violence by his father's influence.
The legal process for both Colt and Colin Gray is underway, with Colt's preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. As the community comes to terms with the tragedy, a recovery center has been established in Barrow County to offer support to the survivors and their families.
