Acquaintance reflects on the “anger” of the community and the “broken” families –

On September 4, 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire at the school, killing two students and two teachers and injuring nine others.

Following the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Amanda Partee-Manders has written an emotional post capturing the profound impact the tragedy has had on the community. On September 4, 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire at the school, killing two students and two teachers and injuring nine others. Richard Aspinwall, a popular teacher and coach, was among the victims.

Partee-Manders, who had worked with Aspinwall since 2013 at Mountain View High School, shared her grief and thoughts in a poignant Facebook post. She described Aspinwall as more than just a colleague – he was a vibrant presence, always smiling and leading with a positive attitude. “Ricky was more than just a colleague – he was a vibrant soul, always smiling and leading with a positive attitude and gentleness. He was a husband and father. A brother and son. A friend. A coach. A teacher,” Partee-Manders wrote.

The ripple effect of tragedy

Partee-Manders expressed her frustration and anger over the tragedy, emphasizing the deep connection she feels to Winder and its schools. “I'm angry because this is our home,” she wrote. Reflecting on her own experience, she recalled the shock of the Columbine shooting in 1999 when she was a student at Winder-Barrow High School. She noted that Apalachee High School had just opened its doors at the time, creating a personal connection to the recent violence.

The post highlighted a pattern of grief that has repeated itself over the years. Partee-Manders pointed to other tragic events, including the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 and the Parkland shooting in 2018. “Those are the ones that stick out in my mind, but there are so many others. Virginia Tech. Parkland. The names of the schools blur together, but the pain remains,” she said.

Impact on the community and shared grief

The impact of the tragedy extends far beyond the immediate families of the victims. Partee-Manders emphasized the widespread grief and shock felt throughout the community. She expressed her deepest sympathy for Aspinwall's wife, Shayna, and their two children and acknowledged the void his loss has left. “The ripple effect of tragedies like this is felt by so many. The loss of a teacher and coach like Ricky – or any teacher – leaves a void in the hearts of countless students and colleagues,” she wrote.

Partee-Manders also reflected on the broader sense of collective grief, noting how people from all over the world have expressed their grief and solidarity. “If you go on social media, you'll see strangers from all over the world saying the names of these wonderful souls and our school and our town. People all over the world are grieving with us, and that's impressive,” she explained.

Legal consequences for the shooter

Colt Gray, the 14-year-old responsible for the shooting, has been charged with four counts of murder. However, because he is 18 years old, he will not face the death penalty if convicted. In addition to Aspinwall, the other victims include math teacher Christina Irimie and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old.