Mother’s warning call before Apalachee High School shooting
Teen warned mother before Apalachee High School shooting; four killed, nine injured
The mother of a teenager accused of killing four people during a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, alerted a school counsellor before the incident, according to the suspect’s relatives.
Colt Gray, 14, sent an alarming text to his mother, Marcee Gray, on the morning of the shooting, prompting her to warn the school, as confirmed by his grandfather.
The text message read, “I’m sorry, mom,” said Charles Polhamus, Marcee Gray’s father, who was with her when she received it at their Fitzgerald, Georgia home.
Marcee Gray made a call to the school about an unspecified “extreme emergency” involving Colt Gray before the shooting began, confirmed by her sister Annie Brown.
🚨🇺🇸#BREAKING | UPDATE
WHY DIDN’T THE FBI CLOSE THE SCHOOL AFTER THE PHONE CALL BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED THE CALLER SAID THERE WOULD BE SHOOTINGS AT 5 SCHOOLS STARTING WITH THE APALACHEE 1STThe FBI had him on their radar and interviewed him?
1 Neighbor said she had never seen… pic.twitter.com/3tLUk85WR8— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) September 6, 2024
A 10-minute call from Marcee Gray’s phone to the school was logged at 9:50 a.m., about 30 minutes before the police were notified of the shooting, according to the Washington Post.
After the call, Marcee Gray and her mother began a 200-mile drive to Winder, Polhamus said.
Marcee Gray later confirmed the call but did not elaborate on the details that prompted the warning to the school.
Colt Gray faces four counts of murder and will be tried as an adult, with additional charges expected for the other victims.
Marcee Gray expressed deep sorrow for the incident, describing it as “absolutely horrific.”
The Barrow County School District and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation did not respond to requests for comment. The Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office and Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith were also contacted.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports on the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, where four people were killed and nine injured, highlighting the impact on the community and the investigation into the motives of the 14-year-old suspect.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia?
A 14-year-old, Colt Gray, allegedly killed four people in a shooting at Apalachee High School.
Did Colt Gray’s mother try to warn the school?
Yes, Marcee Gray called the school about an ‘extreme emergency’ involving her son before the shooting.
Who were the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting?
Two students, Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, and two teachers, Cristina Irimie and Richard Aspinwall, were killed.
Was Colt Gray previously investigated for threats?
Yes, in May 2023, Colt and his father were questioned about online threats to commit a school shooting.
What charges does Colt Gray face?
Colt Gray has been charged with four counts of murder and will be tried as an adult.
