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The US Sun
Devastating texts Apalachee High students sent parents as they barricaded classroom door to stop gunman who killed 4
By Carsen Holaday,
3 hours ago
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.
First responders gathered around Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, after a shooting was reported Getty Ethan Clark told his mom that he was scared as the shooter attacked Erin Clark Members of the community gathered in a circle on the school’s football field WRDW Ethan Clark looks on at the chaotic scene at AHS 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.
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.”
David Phenix, a coach at AHS, smiled with a dog Facebook Phenix’s daughter said the math teacher was shot in the foot and the hip 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.”
“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.”
A crowd gathered near the school’s football field after a shooting broke out on Wednesday Reuters Cars pile up on a road near the Georgia high school after students were evacuated during the shooting AFP
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