US School Shooter Denied Entry by Classmate During Attempted Attack

Photo : Reuters

Georgia, USA – On Wednesday, a devastating shooting unfolded at a Georgia school, leaving four dead and nine injured. The shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray, had initially left his algebra class at the start of the period but returned towards the end, seeking re-entry, according to Lyela Sayarath, a junior who sat next to him in class.

As the class neared its conclusion, Gray reappeared and requested to be let back in. Due to the school’s security protocol, classroom doors automatically locked once closed, necessitating manual entry by someone inside. Sayarath recounted that she and her classmates were alarmed when they noticed Gray carrying a gun. Fearing for their safety, the classmate refused to open the door.

Gray then proceeded to another classroom, where he began firing, resulting in a tragic incident that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers. The deceased include 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, a student with autism, and two teachers whose names have yet to be released. Eight students and one teacher were also injured, some from gunfire and others while trying to escape. All those hospitalized are reported to be in stable condition.

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Sayarth described the terrifying moments when Gray returned, saying, “They almost let him in, but I'm pretty sure she saw that he had a gun and so she backed away. And then he turned away and that's when you hear like the first round of fire.” In response to the unfolding chaos, Sayarath and her classmates instinctively dropped to the floor, barricading themselves with desks while their teacher turned off the lights to help them hide.

First responders arrived swiftly on the scene, and Gray was apprehended within minutes of the shooting. He was armed with an AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle. Sayarath noted that Gray's actions, while shocking, were not entirely unexpected given his demeanor. “It’s usually the quiet kid or that’s a stereotype for it to be, and he was the one that fit that description in our class,” she said.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the ongoing issue of school shootings and the need for increased security measures and mental health support in schools. The investigation into the tragedy continues as authorities work to understand the motives behind Gray’s actions and to prevent future incidents