Four Dead, Nine Injured in Apalachee High School Shooting in Winder

Four people are dead and nine others are injured following a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed the fatalities and injuries. At least one person is in custody.

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office reported that the incident began around 10:45 a.m. when the school was placed on lockdown after gunfire was heard. Apalachee High School administrators notified parents about the lockdown.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith described the situation as “very, very fluid” during a news conference. Both the GBI and FBI have deployed agents to the scene.

Nearby schools in the Barrow County school system were also placed on lockdown as a precaution. Clarke County School District Superintendent Robbie Hooker stated that Athens schools might experience an increased police presence as a result of heightened situational awareness.

Senator Bill Cowsert released a statement expressing grief over the tragedy. He praised the response of the Barrow County Sheriff’s Department and first responders, and vowed to support the affected families and address community concerns.

UPDATE: The victims were identified as 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn (student), 14-year-old Christian Angulo (student), 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall (teacher), and 53-year-old Christina Irimie (teacher). The shooter was a 14-year-old student and is in custody.