Devastating texts Apalachee High students sent parents as they barricaded classroom door to stop gunman who killed 4

STUDENTS sent their parents harrowing texts about being scared and hearing gunfire as a 14-year-old shooter shot and killed four and wounded nine at a Georgia high school.

The teens rushed to barricade classroom doors when gunfire rang out at Apalachee High School in Winder , about 50 miles outside of Atlanta , on Wednesday.

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Erin Clark

WRDW

Erin Clark

The suspected gunman was identified as 14-year-old student Colt Gray , who surrendered immediately and was taken into custody at the scene.

Erin Clark, the mom of AHS senior Ethan, told The U.S. Sun that her son heard eight or nine shots fired .

“School shooting rn,” Ethan texted his mom at 10:23 am, adding that he was “scared” and “not joking.”

She responded that she was leaving her job to come to the school.

“I love you,” Ethan said. Erin responded that she loved him too and asked where he was.

“Class,” he responded before adding, “someone’s dead.”

SHOOTER IN CUSTODY

Gray is in custody and will be tried as an adult for the alleged killings.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said Gray spoke to the GBI and is cooperating with investigators.

Law enforcement officials told CNN that the high school received a phone call this morning warning about the shooting.

The outlet reports that an unknown caller told school officials that there would be shootings in five schools and that AHS would be first.

However, the GBI confirmed that reports of more shootings at nearby schools were fake.

What we know so far:

• Four people are dead, and nine others were injured, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations confirmed.
• 14-year-old student Colt Gray was named as the suspected shooter.
• CNN has reported that at least 30 people were injured, but those details have not been confirmed by investigators.
• Students gathered on the football field after the attack.
• President Biden and Vice President Harris have been briefed.
• Devastating texts reveal student’s fear.

FOUR DEAD & NINE INJURED

The GBI confirmed on Wednesday that two teachers and two students were killed in the shooting. The identities of the victims are unknown.

Nine people were taken to “various hospitals with injuries,” the GBI reported.

What you see behind us is an evil thing today.”

Jud Smith Barrow County sheriff

CNN previously reported that at least 30 people were injured, but it was unclear if the reported injuries were gunshot wounds.

MATH TEACHER SHOT

A woman named Katie Phenix said on Facebook that her dad, David Phenix, was shot at the horrific scene.

“We are so thankful for all the texts, calls, and messages about my dad, David Phenix,” Katie wrote.

Phenix is a coach and special education teacher for math at AHS, according to his LinkedIn and Facebook accounts.

“There was a shooting this morning at Apalachee High School and my dad was shot in the foot and in the hip, shattering his hip bone,” the daughter continued.

Biden's statement on the shooting

President Joe Biden has released a statement about the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Wednesday morning.

“Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed,” Biden said.

“What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart.

“Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.

“We are closely coordinating with officials at the federal, state and local level, and are grateful for the first responders who brought the suspect into custody and prevented further loss of life,” he continued.

“Ending this gun violence epidemic is personal to me. It’s why I signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act – the most meaningful gun safety bill in decades – and have announced dozens of gun safety executive actions.

“I also established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, overseen by Vice President Harris. We’ve made significant progress, but this crisis requires even more.

“After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say ‘enough is enough’ and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation.

“We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.

“These measures will not bring those who were tragically killed today back, but it will help prevent more tragic gun violence from ripping more families apart.”

“He arrived to the hospital alert and awake. He just got out of surgery and is stable.

“We will update as we hear new information. We are so, so lucky, but please keep our family as well as the AHS family in your prayers.”

Facebook

Facebook

‘EVIL THING’

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith called the shooting an “evil thing,” adding the scene is considered an active investigation.

Erin reported that students were in the room for “maybe 45 minutes” before they were evacuated.

She said that with the help of a classmate, Ethan closed the classroom door and moved desks in front of it to prevent the shooter from entering.

While students mobilized after hearing the gunshots, authorities said they responded to a 911 call at the school shortly before 10:30 am.

Helicopter video from the scene showed cops and emergency vehicles surrounding the building as the school went into lockdown.

Apalachee High School has about 1,900 students and is one of two high schools in the Burrow County school district.

HEARTBREAKING MESSAGE TO SISTER

A senior at AHS also sent his sister a heartbreaking text, according to the Associated Press .

“Just so you know, I love you,” the student texted his sister, Ashley Enoh.

Enoh said that when she asked what was happening in the family’s group chat, her brother responded that there was a shooter at the school.

Enoh’s younger sister, a junior at AHS, also said that the school was on lockdown.

The U.S. Sun has contacted the Burrow County Police Department for an update.

LEADERS SPEAK OUT

Governor Brian Kemp dispatched state resources to help local authorities.

“I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state,” Kemp said in statement.

We’ve got to stop it. It does not have to be this way.”

Kamala Harris vice president

“We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.”

President Joe Biden said that back-to-school season should be “joyous.”

“Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write,” Biden said in his statement.

“We cannot continue to accept this as normal.”

Kamala Harris addressed the shooting at her rally on Wednesday.

“It’s just outrageous that every day in our country, in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive,” the Democrat nominee said.

“We’ve got to stop it. It does not have to be this way.”

Donald Trump also shared his condolences for the tragedy.

“Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.”

Reuters

AFP