Authorities have raided the home of a 14-year-old student suspected of carrying out a mass shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday morning. The tragic event left four people dead and nine others hospitalized. The suspect, identified as Colt Gray, is currently in custody and will be tried as an adult, according to local officials.
The deadly shooting unfolded at the high school, which is located in Winder, Georgia, about an hour outside of Atlanta. The victims include two fellow students and two teachers, while the injured—nine in total—remain hospitalized with varying conditions.
Gray, a student at Apalachee High, allegedly left his algebra class at the beginning of the period before returning near the end, armed with a gun. According to a fellow student, Junior Lyela Sayarath, Gray knocked on the classroom door, asking to be let back in. A peer, seeing that he had a firearm, refused to open the door. Soon after, gunshots erupted in the school’s hallways.
The school was placed on immediate lockdown as local law enforcement, including SWAT teams, responded to the scene. The shooter was quickly apprehended without further violence, though the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at what is believed to be Gray’s home, hoping to find further evidence that might shed light on the planning and intent behind the attack. Police have not yet disclosed what was found during the raid, but they confirmed that they are examining electronic devices and other materials as part of their ongoing investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking day for our community, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families,” said Winder Police Chief Jim Stevens during a press conference. “We will work tirelessly to uncover the full circumstances of this tragedy and ensure justice is served.”
Parents, students, and staff at Apalachee High School are grappling with the aftermath of the shooting, as the school remains closed while investigators process the scene. Counselors and mental health professionals are being provided to assist those affected by the traumatic incident.
The suspect, Colt Gray, has been booked into a detention center and is expected to face multiple charges, including murder. Due to the severity of the case, prosecutors confirmed that Gray will be tried as an adult, despite his age.
This latest school shooting has once again raised concerns about gun violence and school safety, prompting local and national discussions about preventive measures and mental health support for students.
