Content warning: below we will cover the mass shooting and share the names of the victims and suspect, who is now in custody.
According to CNN, the four people killed have been identified as:
- Mason Schermerhorn, a 14-year-old student
- Christian Angulo, a 14-year-old student
- Richard Aspinwall, a teacher
- Christina Irimie, a teacher
The suspected gunman has been identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray. Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult.
In times like these, we always want to help, but don’t always know how. If you are looking for ways to support the community and families during this very difficult time, we have compiled what resources have been shared online thus far and will continue to update this piece with new efforts.
Funds
1. Victims First, which is made up of the families of over twenty years of previous mass shootings, have come together to organize a support fund for the victims’ families and survivors of the Apalachee High School. They write,
We are the same families of previous mass shootings who collected donations for Uvalde, TX school shooting victims and ensured that 100% went directly to them. We also worked behind-the-scenes to ensure centralized victim funds were set up for the shootings at Oxford High School (Michigan) and The Covenant School (Tennessee)…We will do the same again for our new, unfortunate mass shooting family in Winder, Georgia.
Victims First is an organization dedicated to helping victims of mass violence. They organize and donate 100% of donations directly to the families and victims of violence. The Victims First’s GoFundMe is linked here if you would like to support the families monetarily.
2. You can also donate directly to the funeral fund for Christian Angulo, one of the victims of the shooting. His family’s GoFundMe is here.
His older sister writes,
My name is Lisette Angulo. I am Christian Angulo’s oldest sister.. Unfortunately my baby brother was one of the victims of the school shooting at Apalachee High School. He was only 14 years old. He was a very good kid and very sweet and so caring. He was so loved by many. His loss was so sudden and unexpected.. We are truly heartbroken.. He really didn’t deserve this. We kindly ask if you could help us with any donations to help us with expenses for his funeral ceremony due to his loss being so sudden. We appreciate anything you can give. We also would appreciate any prayers at this time.
Thank you
GoFundMe also set up a portal for all the verified accounts which are currently taking donations, to ensure that the donations will make it to the right people. If you’re searching for GoFundMe funds to support the victims of the Apalachee School shooting during this time, use the Verified GoFundMe link here.
Community efforts
3. Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop, which is just six miles from the school, posted a sign in the window reading “Love will prevail” and “Barrow Strong.” The AJC also says that the flower shop is selling “bows in the school’s colors, navy and gold, to be displayed on mailboxes. All proceeds will go directly to the families affected, the shop owner said.”
Ann’s Flower and Gift Shop will also create a flower display for the city to include in their memorial for the victims, which will be held in the center of town on Friday.
4. Apalachee Strong
If you’re looking for another way to support, you can also purchase an ‘Apalachee Strong’ shirt, ‘Pray for AHS’ shirt or ‘Barrow Strong’ yard sign. WCNC reports that, “Elite Imprint Group announced that 100% of the proceeds from every ‘Apalachee Strong’ shirt will go directly to the school.”
You can buy a shirt or yard sign on Elite Imprint Group’s website here.Resources
According to the county’s superintendent, Dallas LeDuff, schools in all of Barrow County will be closed for the week. He also said grief counseling would be available for students, faculty and staff.
5. As always, if you’re struggling or feel that you are in crisis, you can call or text 988, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
And if you need to speak to someone less urgently, you can find a therapist in-network by searching your provider and location here.