Two students and two teachers were killed during a mass shooting at the Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 4. At least nine others were injured. A 14-year-old suspect named Colt Gray has been taken into custody. According to multiple outlets, Gray immediately surrendered to police and will be charged as an adult instead of a minor.
Following the violence, multiple politicians spoke out about the shooting, including Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump.
Kamala Harris
Today, Doug and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short by gun violence at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
Our hearts are with the students, teachers, and families impacted by this shooting, and we are grateful to the first responders and law enforcement…
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 4, 2024
In addition to her X statement, Harris also spoke out about the shooting at a campaign event in New Hampshire, calling it a “senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies.”
“We have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all,” she added, per TIME. “You know it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Tim Walz
Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, called the shooting “tragic,” according to the outlet. He also noted, “We don’t know any of the details on it yet, but it’s a situation that’s all too common, and our hearts are out there right now. Our work needs to [be] to prevent these in the future.”
Donald Trump
Trump released a statement via Truth Social following the school shooting. He wrote, “Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA. These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.”
Joe Biden
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 in Winder, Georgia.
Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to… pic.twitter.com/ncjrdNxQUT
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 4, 2024
President Joe Biden wrote in an official statement that he and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, 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.”
“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,” Biden continued. “Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write.”
Biden also pointed out, “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.”
“After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say ‘enough is enough’ and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation,” the president added. “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.”
Gabby Giffords
Former Representative Gabby Giffords — who was a victim in a 2011 shooting — commented on the violence, per TIME.
“This isn’t freedom — freedom is knowing your kids can live safe from gun violence,” Giffords said. “For too long our leaders have put gun industry profits over our children’s safety. It must end.”
Maxwell Frost
This is America. Not even a month into the new school year and we're seeing kids running for their lives from classrooms that were supposed to be safe spaces.
My heart breaks for the victims at Apalachee High School and the families affected. It's time to stop putting guns over… https://t.co/DDc5VZSQiU
— Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@RepMaxwellFrost) September 4, 2024
Representative Maxwell Frost released a statement via X, which read, “Not even a month into the new school year and we’re seeing kids running for their lives from classrooms that were supposed to be safe spaces. It’s time to stop putting guns over children — our communities deserve to live free from this senseless violence.”