The first victim of the tragic Apalachee High School shooting has been identified as a special education math teacher.
David Phenix survived the attack but was rushed to hospital after he was shot in the hip and foot, shattering his hip bone in the process.
At least four people are believed to be dead and up to 30 injured following the horror attack on the Georgia high school.
Police have not yet provided any details to the public about the shooter, and have warned it could take ‘days’ to release information about the accused’s age, gender or connection to the school.
Phenix’s daughter, Katie, revealed on Wednesday that he ‘arrived to the hospital alert and awake’ and was rushed straight into surgery.
David Phenix survived the attack but was rushed to hospital after he was shot in the hip and foot, shattering his hip bone in the process
Police have not yet provided any details to the public about the shooter, and have warned it could take ‘days’ to release information about the accused’s age, gender or connection to the school
Phenix has been a teacher for 22 years. He had intended to retire in 2023, but was approached by Apalachee with an opportunity to take on a role as the golf coach
‘He just got out of surgery and is stable,’ she said.
‘We will update as we hear new information. We are so, so lucky, but please keep our family as well as the AHS family in your prayers.’
Phenix has been a teacher for 22 years. He had intended to retire in 2023, but was approached by Apalachee with an opportunity to take on a role as the golf coach.
His wife said: ‘A day after he officially made his decision, an opportunity to go to Appalachee High School as a Golf Coach popped up, the timing was perfect, and he said YES.
‘He was ”retired” for a total of three days!
‘I’m actually glad our retirement travel plans will have to wait, because I have always loved seeing you connect with the kids and make an impact.’
The news comes as CNN reports four victims were fatally shot on Wednesday morning.
A suspect is in custody, but further details have not been made public.
The news comes as CNN reports four victims were fatally shot on Wednesday morning
Horrific details from inside classrooms have emerged – depicting the chilling chaos students endured as gunshots rang out this morning
Horrific details from inside classrooms have emerged – depicting the chilling chaos students endured as gunshots rang out this morning.
A shaken grandfather has revealed his granddaughters ‘were led out past blood and victims’ after the shooting.
‘They heard the shots, had SWAT come in guns drawn in their room looking for shooters,’ James Shappard said.
‘No kid should have to go through that.’
Sergio Caldera, 17, said he was in his senior chemistry class when he heard gunshots.
He told ABC: ‘My teacher goes and opens the door to see what’s going on.
‘Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because there’s an active shooter.’
Caldera said that his class heard chilling screams from outside as they ‘huddled up.’
Another 15-year-old child told Atlanta News First that his teacher immediately locked the door and his classmates ducked down into a lockdown position when the gunfire broke out on Wednesday morning.
He said that he was concerned about his friends and classmates – since the gunshots sounded close to where he was hunkered down.
Horrific details from inside classrooms have emerged – depicting the chilling chaos students endured as gunshots rang out this morning
Concerned parents gathered at the school on Wednesday
Melanie, who is a student at Apalachee High School, revealed that a ‘code red’ announcement, along with a red flashing light, started going off in her classroom.
During drills, the light has never illuminated – which made her realize that the ordeal was real and serious, she told local reporters.
Her classmates immediately ducked into the corner of the room on the instruction of their teacher, who turned off the classroom light.
Melanie said that many of her friends did not have cell service, but she did – so she texted her own family before letting her other classmates message their parents off of her phone.
And 14-year-old Camille Nelms told WXIA the gunman entered her classroom.
‘I was crying. I didn’t want to die that way,’ she said.
Heartbreaking messages between a student at Apalachee High School and his mom have revealed the moment kids learned there was an active shooter
Students were instructed to gather on the football field ahead of being released from her parents
The terrified student said she texted her mother, who said: ‘I’m coming to get you.’
Her mother revealed it was ‘chaos’ when she arrived at the scene of the school, with a ‘giant’ line of parents waiting to be reunited with their children. She said that when she heard Melanie’s voice and gave her a hug, she was so grateful she was alive.
Erin Clark received a text message from her son, Ethan, at 10.23am on Wednesday morning telling her that there was a school shooting underway.
He wrote: ‘school shooting rn (right now). I’m scared. I’m not joking.’
His mom responded instantly, assuring him that she was leaving work. In a heartbreaking response, Ethan wrote: ‘I love you.’
‘Love you too baby. Where are you?’ Clark said.
Ethan told her that he was in class, adding ‘someone’s dead.’
President Joe Biden has since issued a statement condemning gun violence.
He said: ‘What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart.
‘Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write.
‘We cannot continue to accept this as normal.’
Biden called on Congress to say ‘enough is enough’ and pass new gun safety legislation.