BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — The principal of Apalachee High School has shared a public statement for the first time since the tragedy at the Georgia school that took the lives of four people and sent nine others to the hospital.
She shared her message on Wednesday, a week after the shooting.
Most of the communication with students and parents has been with the Barrow County School District, who has been keeping the community informed.
Principal Jessica Rehberg shared both a video statement and a written statement online, sharing similar words of appreciation for the community for their support.
"I miss you, and I love this community. One week ago this morning, our lives were changed forever, and we tragically lost four people who will always be a part of us. My heart is with their family and those who are recovering," she shared in her video message.
Rehberg also expressed support for the school's students, families and staff. She briefly addressed when students could be back in classes, saying that some of the students were ready to go back to school. As of 9:30 a.m. on Friday, the school district did not announce a specific date for when schools would reopen.
On Friday at 5 p.m., the Barrow County School District announced that there is a plan for students to return on Sept. 23.
"Staff are truly the best. You are the most important part of CHEE Nation. You make us who we are. You are loved. You are needed. Thank you for taking the hard steps to walk back on campus. I know many of you want to be back in our beloved Apalachee building and I know some of you aren't ready. While we do not have the specific plans for returning back to school, we respect how you are feeling. We hope to have some more information to share with you very soon," she added in her video statement.
Full letter from the principal
My heart is with every member of CHEE Nation. I know many of you want to be together back at school, and we’re working on those plans. I also know some of you aren’t ready to come back, and we’re working on plans for you, too. As soon as we are able to, we will share that information with you.
There are resources available to help you or your student through this incredibly difficult time. That includes counseling at schools and the Community Recovery Center (CRC) at the Barrow County Leisure Services Center at 175 2nd Street in Winder. I strongly encourage you or your student to talk to someone and let them know it's perfectly understandable to feel a number of emotions right now. The CRC has counselors, therapy dogs, and other support that might be helpful to you and your family.
I’m here for you, and I'm so grateful for the support of the Apalachee community during our tragedy.
Full video statement
Victims of Apalachee school tragedy
- Teacher Richard Aspinwall, 39
- Teacher Cristina Irimie, 53
- Student Mason Schermerhorn, 14
- Student Christian Angulo, 14
More on the Apalachee High School shooting
The GBI said deputies with the Barrow County Sheriff's Office responded minutes after reports of an active shooter at 10:20 a.m. and encountered the suspect, who "immediately surrendered to these officers, and he was taken into custody."
Following the deadly shooting, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 14-year-old Colt Gray and charged him with four counts of felony murder. Colt Gray was booked by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, where he had his mugshot taken.
"Obviously, the shooter was armed, and our school resource officer engaged him, and the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, it would end with an OIS (officer-involved shooting)," Sheriff Jud Smith said, describing how the suspect was taken into custody. "He gave up, got on the ground, and the (officer) took him into custody."
A day after the deadly shooting, the GBI arrested 54-year-old Colin Gray and charged him with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of child cruelty -- which are related to the eight children hospitalized by gunshot wounds.
In warrants obtained by 11Alive through the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, new details reveal he knowingly supplied an AR-15-style weapon to his son Colt Gray despite “knowing he posed a danger to himself and others.”
According to prosecutors, the next legal step in the process will be a grand jury hearing scheduled for Oct. 17. This closed-door proceeding will determine the next phase of the charges. Sheriff Smith emphasized that while new charges against Colt Gray are certain, charges against Colin Gray may depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Apalachee High School is located on Haymon Morris Road, just outside the city limits of Winder in Barrow County, Georgia. The school is part of the Barrow County School District, which also includes nearby schools such as Haymon Morris Middle School, Yargo Elementary School, and Cadence Academy Preschool.