On September 4, 2024, known as Apalachee High School in Georgia, students experienced something no student or staff wanted to go through…a school shooting. two students and two staff lost their lives, and nine others were injured. Many of the students who attended Apalachee High School shared their stories and experiences on social media including TikTok and Instagram. Their first suspect is a student who attended the high school. According to CBSnews.com’s reporter, Emily Mae Czachor, she said, “Authorities have arrested 14-year-old Colt Gray. He was taken into custody alive and will be charged with murder as an adult, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director, Chris Hosey.”
Since the shooting, many students shared stories from their point of view, and many other people around the world have come together to make sure their voices are heard. According to CNN.com, reporters Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury, Tori B. Powell, Nouran Salahieh, and Amir Vera said, “Student Lyleah Sayarth said the suspected shooter left the classroom at the beginning of their Algebra 1 class around 9:45 a.m. When he (Gray) returned near the end of the class, he knocked to get back in. Another student went to open the door, but Lyela said that the student noticed the gun and did not open the door. She said the shooter went to the classroom next door and opened fire.” Many students were texting loved ones, telling them about the shooting, and that they loved them all very much. It’s a text that all parents and guardians never want to see. Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury, Tori B. Powell, Nouran Salahieh and Amir Vera also stated, “When the shooting happened, all schools in the district were placed in lockdown, and police were sent out of an abundance of caution to all district high schools.”
Earlier that morning, the school received a very strange call. CNN.com’s reporters Isabel Rosales, Sara Smart, and Dalia Faheid, stated, “Apalachee High School had received a phone threat earlier in the morning warning that there would be shootings at five schools and that Apalachee would be the first” When they got that phone call, many officers were around the area for safety. Other officers went around the other school areas for the students and staff’s safety as well.
The shooter’s grandfather explained the teen was influenced by gun violence, and violence in general because of the home environment he grew up with. According to New York Times reporter, Jacey Fortin said, “Charlie Polhamus, the teenager’s maternal grandfather, said he believed his grandson was responsible for what happened but also cast some of the blame on the tumult in the teenager’s life with his father, who had split from Mr. Polhamus’s daughter. My grandson did what he did because of the environment that he lived in.” Children and teens should not be able to just grab guns, neither should they be given guns. Children and teens need to learn about guns more.
Gun violence is something we all need to be mindful and aware of. Lives are taken and put in danger because of this issue. In conclusion, school shootings are an issue in the United States that we need to change and end in our communities to keep everyone safe.
