Apalachee High School shooting: Students, staff allowed to retrieve belongings
BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - Students and staff members, on Monday, were allowed to return to Apalachee High School to pick up their belongings after last week's mass shooting. The school has been closed since Wednesday when a 14-year-old allegedly opened fire, killing four people and injuring nine others.
The students and staff were evacuated during the incident and then released to their parents or buses home.
"It's very somber, but there is a lot of support in the room," parent Ivia Carter said.
Parents and students are still numb as they headed inside the school for the first time to get personal belongings five days after a gunman opened fire.
"Weird energy you feel. Everybody feels it. That's the thing it's scared, fear," parent Eddie Matiass said.
"The area schools came over to walk the children to the classroom and everything, so that made it a little bit easier," Carter added.
WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 4: A police line is put up in front of Apalachee High School after a school shooting took place on September 4, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported and a suspect is in custody accor
Carter returned to Apalachee with her daughter, who is a current sophomore. She said her daughter is having a tough time coping with what's happened.
"Her whole attitude and how she interacts with people has changed since this event," Carter explained.
"Our family is really trying to pick up the pieces and move forward," she added.
According to law enforcement, 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire on students and faculty on Sept. 4. He was arrested within minutes of the shooting and is currently facing 4 counts of felony murder (other charges are expected to be added). His father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, was also arrested after it came to light that he had purchased the gun used in the mass shooting despite reportedly knowing his son was troubled.
Classes at Apalachee High School have been canceled until further notice. Students at other schools in Barrow County are scheduled to return to school on Tuesday.
Barrow County Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff posted a video on the school system's website on Sunday night saying there will be additional security as well as mental health support at all of their schools as students return.
"If you are not ready to return to school, we ask that you reach out to your school's principal let them know that you're not ready and allow them to assist you with finding any resources that you may need," Dr. LeDuff said.
Carter said she's not sure when her daughter will be ready to head back.
"I don't want my daughter rushed back into school. We're just going to figure this out and see how we can move forward," she explained.
How long will Apalachee High School be closed?
It is unknown at this time how long Apalachee High School will be closed.
After the mass shooting in November 2021 at Oxford High School in Detroit, Michigan, it was almost 2 months before students returned to class. When they did return, it was not to the building where the shooting occurred. That building remained closed and was demolished on June 14, 2024.
In 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida was completely closed for 2 weeks after 17 students and staff were killed. However, the building where the shooting occurred remained closed with its windows covered and was eventually replaced with a new building.
Columbine High School closed for the rest of the school year after 12 students and 1 teacher died in a mass shooting on April 20, 1999. The school reopened for the new school year, except for the library where most of the people were killed. That was demolished and rebuilt.
After 20 children and 6 adults were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut were killed on Dec. 14, 2012, the entire school was demolished and rebuilt.
There are many things that must be considered before a school can reopen, including security at the school and emotional support for the returning students and staff.
Georgia Emergency Management Agency has set up a community recovery center for free resources and mental health services at the Barrow Leisure Services Center.