The FBI confirmed that the suspect who killed two students and two teachers and injured nine others at a Georgia high school on Wednesday had been under their watch as a possible threat since last year.
In a joint statement, the FBI's Atlanta field office and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office said the agency's National Threat Countermeasures Center received an anonymous tip about threats being posted online about a possible school shooting in May 2023.
Authorities said the threat included an image of a gun.
Within 24 hours of receiving the anonymous tip, investigators determined the threat originated in Georgia and reported the matter to the sheriff's office.
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Police officers work near the scene of a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday. (Reuters/Elijah Nouvellaj)
“The Jackson County Sheriff's Office located a 13-year-old boy who may be the suspect and interviewed him and his father,” the FBI said. “The father stated he had a hunting gun in the home, but the suspect did not have access to the gun unsupervised.”
Authorities said the boy denied making the threats and that they had warned local schools to keep an eye on him.
“At the time, there was no justification for making arrests or taking additional law enforcement action at the local, state or federal level,” the FBI said.
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Police gathered outside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday after a shooting at the school. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
On Wednesday, authorities identified Colt Gray, now 14, as the gunman who shot and killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School. Gray turned himself in to authorities and was taken into custody after the assault.
“Following our earlier joint statement, the individual identified as the 13-year-old is the same individual in custody in connection with today's shooting at Apalachee High School,” the FBI said.
Authorities said he will be charged with murder as an adult.
Investigators are still investigating whether anyone was specifically targeted, but they do not know of any connection between Gray and the victims.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said authorities are “investigating every aspect of this individual, his or her involvement with the school.”
Gray was 13 years old at the time the FBI reported the threat to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in May 2023. The family lived in Jackson County at the time, but FBI sources said the family has since moved to Barrow County, Georgia.
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An unknown number of people were injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday, but police vehicles were parked outside the school after a suspect was arrested. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Georgian authorities have not released the identities of the victims and injured in the incident. Apalachee High School ShootingHowever, one woman came forward and said her father had been shot.
In a public Facebook post on Wednesday, a woman named Katie Phoenix explained that her father, David Phoenix, was shot at the school.
“I am so grateful for all the texts, calls and messages regarding my father, David Phoenix,” his daughter wrote. “This morning there was a shooting at Apalachee High School and my father was shot in the leg and hip, shattering his hip bone.”
“He arrived at the hospital conscious and awake. After surgery “He is in stable condition,” she added. “We will update you as more information becomes available. We are truly blessed. Please keep our family and the AHS family in your prayers.”
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Barrow County School Board Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said the county school board will close all schools for the remainder of the week.
LeDuff said: Schools are closed The district is “fully cooperating with law enforcement” and grief counseling will also be available.
Fox News Digital's Louis Casiano and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
