Apalachee High School shooting: Winder police officers honored for actions

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Published  December 18, 2024 7:45pm EST
FOX 5 Atlanta

atricia Lowrie, Capt. Rob Curott, Cpl. Alexandria Hill, Ofc. Jacob Harris, Helen Powell (City of Winder)

The Brief

    • Six Winder Police Department officers were awarded the Distinguished Citizen Medal by the DAR for their actions during the Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School.
    • The officers were part of a larger group of first responders commended for their bravery and preparedness in handling the tragic event.
    • Colt Gray, 14, is accused of the shooting, which resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students, and faces 55 charges, including murder and aggravated assault.
    • Colt's father, Colin Gray, faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder, for allegedly providing the weapon and being aware of his son's dangerous obsessions.

WINDER, Ga. - Six officers from the Winder Police Department have been awarded the Distinguished Citizen Medal by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for their actions during the tragic Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School.

The officers recognized for their service include Capt. Rob Curott, Cpl. Alexandria Hill, Ofc. Oscar Flores, Ofc. Jacob Harris, Ofc. Joshua Perry, and Ofc. Kevin Wolf. The Distinguished Citizen Medal honors individuals who exemplify honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism.

The officers were among a larger group of law enforcement and medical first responders commended for their selfless and heroic actions on that day. A formal ceremony to present the medals was held on Dec. 16, with Patricia Lowrie, Regent of the Sunbury Chapter of the DAR, officiating the presentation.

Chief Jim Fullington praised the recipients, highlighting their bravery and preparedness. "While we abhor the evil actions and events that caused chaos and pain that day, we are very proud of all the law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel that bravely ran toward danger that day to stop evil and help save lives," Fullington said. "In addition, these public safety personnel were bravely carrying out the training and plans that they had diligently prepared for during the previous year."

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Apalachee High School shooting

Colt Gray, 14, is accused of opening fire inside the Apalachee High School campus, resulting in the deaths of two teachers, 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall and 53-year-old Cristina Irimie, and two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, were killed. Nine others sustained injuries.

Investigators say Colt used a 'black semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle,' which his father, Colin Gray, reportedly gave him for Christmas.

Colt Gray faces 55 charges, including four counts of murder, four counts of felony murder, four counts of aggravated battery, 25 counts of aggravated assault, and 18 counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

Colin Gray faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say that the Barrow County father was aware that his son was obsessed with school shooters and even had a shrine above his home computer for the gunman in the 2018 massacre in Parkland, Florida. However, he didn't take any action.

During his questioning following the shooting, Colin Gray reportedly mentioned Colt had asked him for a larger magazine, and he purchased one for him as well as a bore sight for the rifle and ammunition for the gun.

The Source: This story draws on details and an image provided by the city of Winder. It also utilizes details from previous FOX 5 Atlanta original reporting.