The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of shooting and killing two teachers and two students has been arrested in connection with a Georgia school shooting that has rocked a small community.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced Thursday that Collin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old suspect, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to the incident.
According to the GBI, Gray, 54, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, as well as four counts of manslaughter and eight counts of child abuse.
He was arrested Wednesday, the GBI announced at a press conference Thursday night.
Georgia high school shooting suspect charged with felony murder: Live updates
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith speaks during a press conference following the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, USA, September 4, 2024. (Reuters/Elijah Nouvellaj)
GBI Director Chris Horsey said this is a “challenging” time for the community.
A gun was displayed on video taken inside Apalachee High School, and an evacuation order was issued.
“As you know, this is an incredibly difficult time for students and parents and many students and parents are feeling anxious in this county and across this state,” he said. “I'm sure you've seen the reports today of incidents in various schools across the state where other students have made threatening acts. In each of these cases, law enforcement has filed charges, made arrests and acted very swiftly. We take these incidents very seriously across this state.”
People attend a vigil at Jug Tavern Park following the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, USA, September 4, 2024. (Reuters/Elijah Nouvellaj)
Hosey urged the community to “stand together and remain vigilant” in the wake of the deadly mass shooting.
“Now is a time for communities and the entire state to come together and remain vigilant,” he said. “Students across the region and state must be supported and encouraged to contact school faculty and staff with any concerns about suspicious activity they may witness.”
“Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will continue to work together around the clock regarding this incident and any other incidents occurring across our state that raise concerns for the safety of Georgia students, faculty, staff and citizens.”
From left to right: Math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimy were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, along with Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, according to authorities. (Fox News)
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said all nine people injured, including two teachers and seven students, are expected to make a full recovery.
Smith implored the audience to “uplift our community.”
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“Please protect these children, these teachers,” he said. “We call them teachers, but I call them heroes.”
