Police had previously investigated US school shooting suspect over threats of similar attack, victims identified
A US school shooting suspect had been previously investigated by police over threats to carry out a similar attack, last year.
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly shooting dead two students and two teachers at a high school in Georgia.
The gunman, identified by police as Colt Gray, was a student at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, where the attack took place, leading to the school being placed on lockdown and officers swarming the location before he surrendered.
The four victims who died have been named as students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspenwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53.
Christina Irimie taught maths Pic: Apalachee High School
Richard Aspinwall Pic: Apalachee High School
Suspect previously interviewed
In May last year, the FBI received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chris Hosey, said.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office located a possible suspect, 13-year-old Gray, whom they interviewed along with his father. Gray denied making the threats online, and at the time there was no probable cause for arrest, so no further action was taken.
Authorities are now re-investigating the incident and its possible connection to the recent shooting.
Brandy Rickaba and her daughter Emilie during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the school shooting. Pic: AP
Police outside the school after the attack. Pic: AP
“We are also aware of some previous contacts that the Department of Family and Children Services had with the suspect and his family, and we are pursuing that avenue as well,” Mr. Hosey added.
Nine people, eight students and one teacher, were taken to hospital with injuries from the attack, but are expected to make a recovery.
Gray is being charged as an adult, and the attack was carried out using an AR-style weapon, a gun often associated with school shootings.
Police are still investigating leads and have praised the actions of teachers for saving lives.
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Authorities were alerted to the attack by a new alarm system that had recently been implemented.
Sheriff Jud Smith said: “All of our teachers are armed with a form of ID, this alarms us and alerts law enforcement officers after buttons are pressed on the ID.
‘It alerts us there is an active situation at the school. We’ve had that about a week now.’
‘Just so you know, I love you’
The words “hard lockdown” appeared on a screen in Layla Ferrell’s health class as lights began flashing.
She and her terrified classmates piled desks and chairs in front of the door to create a barrier, she said.
Meanwhile, Kaylee Abner was in her geometry class when she heard gunshots.
She and her classmates hid behind their teacher’s desk and began flipping the desk to barricade the classroom door, she said.
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Ashley Enoh received a text from her brother, a senior at the school, informing her of the situation and expressing his love for the family.
