Most students and teachers in the district are returning to class after the shooting at Apalachee High

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – Most students and teachers in Barrow County returned to classes Tuesday following the shooting at Apalachee High School.

No date has yet been set for students to return to Apalachee High School.

“It’s double, you know, because this is still so fresh,” Faustino Ventura said. “It only happened a week ago, and it’s annoying that it could happen again, but life has to go on.”

Ventura has cousins ​​who attend Barrow County Schools and is a local youth group leader. The kids he knows say they are nervous about going back to school.

“They’re 14, 15 years old and they say, ‘Why is this happening to us, with everything that’s going on?’ And it’s hard to say. We don’t have an answer for anything,” Ventura said.

Puppies are just one of the many treats being brought into Barrow County classrooms on Tuesday.

“It’s such a sad time right now, so it’s important for us to take the dogs in and give them a moment of comfort,” said Paul Soost, the “top dog” at Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs.

The K-9 comfort dogs are planned for multiple campuses.

“We discovered that people sometimes find it difficult to talk to others about their grief, but that they do enjoy sitting with the dog and cuddling him,” says Soost.

Advisors are available on all campuses for people who would like to have a chat.

There is extra security on all campuses.

“All of our (school resource officers) will be at the schools tomorrow, including assistance from local City PDs and the Georgia State Patrol,” said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith. “I understand the concern for our children and parents, but we ask that they return if they feel comfortable, in my opinion.”

“If you are not ready to return to school, we ask that you contact your school principal, let him or her know that you are not ready, and give him or her the opportunity to help you find the resources you need,” said Principal Dallas LeDuff.

Family and friends are mourning the victims, including teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14.

A memorial service was held for Aspinwall on Sunday, while a Romanian Orthodox church community honored Irimie. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday, the Associated Press reported.

Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of whom were hit by gunfire. More injured people are being discharged from hospitals, the Associated Press reported. Doug Griffith said his 15-year-old daughter, Natalie Griffith, was released from the hospital Monday after being treated for gunshot wounds to her arm and wrist.

Colt Gray, 14, is charged as an adult with four counts of murder. District Attorney Brad Smith has said he likely will face additional charges in connection with the wounded.

Authorities have also charged his 54-year-old father, Colin Gray, with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children. Investigators allege Colin Gray gave his son access to the gun when he knew or should have known the teen was a danger to himself and others.

Copyright 2024 WANF via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.