Apalachee High School Shooting: Woman Says Father Was One of Teachers Shot, 'So Lucky' He Survived

Mar. 15, 2025

Law enforcement and first responders control traffic after a shooting took place at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Sept. 4.Photo:CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty

CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty

“We are so thankful for all the texts, calls, and messages about my dad, David Phenix,” Katie wrote before noting that he was “shot in the foot and in the hip, shattering his hip bone.”

“He arrived to the hospital alert and awake. He just got out of surgery and is stable,” she added. “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. ❤️.”

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.AP Photo/Jeff Amy

AP Photo/Jeff Amy

Eight other woundedwere hospitalized and their identities have not been revealed.

Four people were fatally shot, including two students and two math teachers. On Wednesday night, theGeorgia Bureau of Investigationsidentified the students as Christian Angulo and Mason Shermerhorn, both 14. The slain teachers were identified as Richard Aspinwall, 39 and Christina Irimie, 54.

Thesuspected shooter was identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the high school. Gray allegedly wounded more than 30 people.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith called the shooting “pure evil” at a press conference held alongside Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey and other officials.

The school was reportedly put on lockdown in the aftermath of the shooting. School Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said schools in the district will remain closed for the rest of the week.

Law enforcement and first responders respond to Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024, after a shooting was reported. Police took a suspect into custody after the shooting on Wednesday, with students evacuated from the scene and local media reporting fatalities. CNN, citing unnamed law enforcement sources, reported that four people had been killed and 30 wounded. Other outlets reported two deaths.CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), GeorgiaGov. Brian Kemp saidhe has directed all available state resources to the school.

“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,” the president said. “We cannot continue to accept this as normal.”

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Vice PresidentKamala Harrisalso made a statement during a public speech on Wednesday, calling the prevalence of gun violence in American schools “outrageous.”

“This is just a senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies,” Harris said. “We have to stop it. we have to end this epidemic of gun violence once and for all. You know, it doesn’t have to be this way. It doesn’t have to be this way at all.”

source: people.com