Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith has expressed horror at the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, calling the event an act of “pure evil.”
Authorities have identified Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school, as the gunman who shot and killed two students and two teachers.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, nine victims were taken to hospitals with gunshot wounds.
“I feel bad for these children, I feel bad for this community, but I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this region,” Sheriff Smith said at a news conference Wednesday.
“Love will overcome what happened today, I assure you.”
Smith said he was born and raised in the area and was once a student in the Barrow County School System, which includes Apalachee High School.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith is pictured speaking to the media following the shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. He called the shooting “pure evil” and assured the community that “love will prevail”
The high school, which has an enrollment of about 1,900 students, is located in the town of Winder, about 25 miles west of Athens.
Smith also revealed his personal connection to the school, saying he attended the Barrow County School System as a child. Now his children are in the same system
“My children go to this school system. I am proud of this school system,” he said.
The high school, which has about 1,900 students, is located in the town of Winder, about 40 kilometers west of Athens.
Smith made no comment on the shooter’s motive or named him in his brief address to the media.
It has been announced that Gray has been charged with murder and will be tried as an adult.
“I don’t know why it happened. I may never know. We may never know, but I’m asking you and our community to support our schools, to strengthen our public safety, and that we don’t allow this hateful event to continue.”
He thanked Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his support, as well as the many state, local and federal agencies that assisted in the response to the shooting.
“They have prevented many more tragic events,” he said.
Students were evacuated to the football stadium after gunshots were fired at the school
A group of students wait to be picked up by their parents after the shooting
Pictured: Heavily armed police officers were seen entering the school on Wednesday morning
Smith also confirmed that the school counselor made contact with the shooter, who eventually surrendered to police.
“The shooter quickly realized that if he didn’t give up, it would end up being an OIS, or an officer-involved shooting. He gave up, got down on the ground, and the officer took him into custody,” he said.
Smith repeatedly said the investigation was in its early stages and that he could not answer questions about how the shooter obtained his weapon, nor did he say what type of weapon he used.
He added that authorities are not aware that Gray had specific targets. He also did not confirm whether Gray had a connection to any of the victims.
More information is likely to emerge soon, as Smith revealed that the shooter has been questioned by police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The only victim identified so far is special education math teacher David Phenix, who survived the crash but was rushed to hospital after being shot in the hip and foot.
Phenix has been a teacher for 22 years. He had planned to retire in 2023, but was approached by Apalachee with the opportunity to take on a golf coaching role
Police first received reports of the high school shooting around 10:20 a.m. ET
Phenix’s daughter, Katie, said Wednesday that he arrived at the hospital “wide and awake” and was immediately taken to surgery.
“He just had surgery and is in stable condition,” she said.
Phenix, who has been a teacher for 22 years, wanted to retire in 2023, but decided to stay when he was given the opportunity to become a golf coach.
Before the sheriff’s office received the first reports of a shooting around 10:20 a.m. ET, the high school received a threat over the phone, CNN reported.
The caller allegedly claimed that there would be shootings at five schools and that Apalachee would be the first.
Authorities said there have been no other shootings besides the Apalachee shooting and that they will investigate the source of this report.
An overhead view of the scene outside the high school after the shooting was over
Pictured: An injured victim is helped by emergency services after the shooting
Governor Kemp said he was “heartbroken” by the shooting and added that his office “will continue to work closely with local, state and federal partners to provide every possible resource to help this community on this incredibly difficult day and the days ahead.”
The presidential candidates have also addressed the horrific crime, with Vice President Kamala Harris calling it a “senseless tragedy.”
“We must end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. It doesn’t have to be this way,” she added.
Former President Donald Trump called the shooter a “deranged monster.”
“Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster,” he wrote on Truth Social.
