Apalachee High School shooting suspect charged with four counts of murder

A 14-year-old student accused of killing four people and wounding nine others at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has been charged with four counts of premeditated murder, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

In a post on X, the GBI said additional charges could be expected against the boy, but NPR did not identify him by name.

The suspect is currently being held at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, where his first court appearance is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. GBI Director Chris Hosey told reporters Wednesday that officers intend to try the alleged shooter as an adult.

“The investigation into the Apalachee High School shooting remains ongoing,” the GBI said.

Two teachers and two students were killed. The GBI identified those killed as students Christian Angulo, 14, and Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53.

Autopsies on the four victims will be performed on Thursday, the GBI said.

At least nine other people were injured and taken to various hospitals for treatment. The suspect was detained at the school.

Investigators described the weapon used in the shooting as an “AR-style platform weapon.”

The GBI said Thursday that the investigation “is still active and ongoing.”

“This is the second day of a very complicated investigation, and the integrity of the case is paramount,” the agency wrote on X. “We ask the public for patience as we work to ensure a successful prosecution and justice for the victims.”

The FBI had previously investigated the shooting suspect.

IN post on XThe FBI said that in May 2023, it received “several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unknown time and location” and that the threats included images of guns.

The FBI said the sheriff’s office in nearby Jackson County identified a “possible perpetrator,” a 13-year-old male, and interviewed him and his father.

“The father stated he had a hunting gun in the home, but the suspect did not have unfettered access to it. The suspect denied making the online threats,” the FBI said.

The FBI said local schools have been notified to continue monitoring the suspect, but there is no strong basis for an arrest or additional law enforcement action. The agency confirmed the teen was taken into custody following Wednesday’s shooting.

Some technology helped in quick response to shooting

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith credited Centegix emergency alert technology with helping first responders respond to Wednesday’s shooting.

The Atlanta-based company makes a credit-card-sized badge that can be worn on a lanyard. The badge has a button that staff can press to immediately notify the school, other employees and law enforcement about health or safety issues that occur on campus, NPR member station WABE reported.

“It alerts us that there’s an active situation at the school. That was the push. We’ve had that for a week now,” Smith told reporters at a news conference Wednesday evening.

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