In the wake of the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, an emotional post by Amanda Partee-Manders has captured the profound impact of the tragedy on the community. On September 4, 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire at the school, killing two students and two teachers while injuring nine others. Richard Aspinwall, a beloved teacher and coach, was among the victims.
Partee-Manders, who had worked alongside Aspinwall at Mountain View High School since 2013, shared her grief and reflections in a poignant Facebook post. She described Aspinwall as more than just a colleague—he was a vibrant presence, always smiling and leading with positivity. “Ricky was more than just a colleague—he was a vibrant soul, always smiling and leading with positivity and gentleness. He was a husband and daddy. 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 experiences, 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 around that time, creating a personal link to the recent violence.
The post highlighted a pattern of sorrow that has repeated itself over the years. Partee-Manders referenced other tragic events, including the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012 and the Parkland shooting in 2018. “These are the ones that stand out to me, but there are so many more. Virginia Tech. Parkland. The names of the schools blur together, but the pain remains,” she said.
Community Impact and Grieving Together
The impact of the tragedy extends far beyond the immediate families of the victims. Partee-Manders emphasized the widespread grief and disruption felt by the entire community. She expressed deep sympathy for Aspinwall’s wife Shayna and their two children, acknowledging the void left by his loss. “The ripple effect of tragedies like this is felt by so many. The loss of a teacher and coach like Ricky—or any teacher—creates a void in the hearts of countless students and colleagues,” she wrote.
Partee-Manders also reflected on the broader sense of collective mourning, noting how people from around the world have been expressing their sorrow and solidarity. “If you’ve been on social media, you’ll see strangers from around the world saying the names of these beautiful souls and of our school and our town. People around the world are mourning with us, and that is powerful,” she stated.
Legal Consequences for the Shooter
Colt Gray, the 14-year-old responsible for the shooting, has been charged with four counts of murder. However, as 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.
