After the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, some parents just an hour away in Atlanta are thinking about what the shooting means for the safety of their schools, urging parents to take more responsibility for their children and calling for change.
A 14-year-old suspect allegedly shot and killed two students and two teachers at the school on Wednesday, and nine other people were transported to hospitals.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Colt Gray has been charged with four counts of felony murder and is being tried as an adult. His father, Colin Gray, was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder for allegedly knowingly allowing his son to access the weapon, which was an AR platform-style weapon.
At Chastain Park, many parents shared their reactions to the shooting. Audio has been edited for clarity and length.
Emily Silberman said the father is responsible, pointing to an investigation that took place after the FBI received multiple tips in May 2023 about an online threat for an unspecified school shooting. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office questioned both the suspect and his father; the suspect denied making threats and the father said his son did not have access to his hunting guns. Silberman also advocated for restricting gun manufacturing and creating a buy-back program to reduce the gun supply.
“Just the helplessness of parents sending their children to school — our children have to worry about this. It’s not just us,” she said. “For the rest of their life, they’re going to have to be thinking about these things, and it’s horrible.”
Allison Olim, who has three children, said she won’t allow fear to stop her from sending her kids to school. “We haven’t had an issue yet. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but I have to have the faith.”
She added that parents should pay attention to their kids’ mental well-being and make sure that guns are out of reach if they believe their children could be a danger to themselves or others.
Natalie McNutt, whose two children are now adults, called for greater gun control. “Who needs a semi-automatic weapon?” she said.
“Nowadays, when you go to a huge gathering, you have to be cognizant of, there could be gun violence,” she said. “People can own guns, but they have to be responsible.”
Jeffery Ryans said he was worried about his daughter going to school after the shooting, but said the police presence at her school gives him “some peace.”
“You can never say never. You hope it never happens at your school, but the school that it happened with yesterday, I’m sure those parents never thought it would happen at their school,” he said.
He added that there should be more examination into laws surrounding gun ownership.
Chan Thompson, who has two adult children, said she believes parents should check on their kids more often, adding that young children should not be able to access their parents’ firearms.
She added that schools should tighten up security and install metal detectors to prevent future violence.
Kentrell Hendricks said he was worried about sending his children to school and not having control over their safety. He said he tells his kids to pray every morning before leaving the house. Moreover, he said he can’t rely on politicians to fix the issue of gun violence.
“In every society, there’s good and there’s bad, and if we eliminate guns within the households, we all become vulnerable or susceptible to violence,” he said.
