Georgia House holds moment of silence for victims of Sept. 4, 2024 Apalachee High School shooting

During afternoon orders on Jan. 14, 2025, the Georgia House of Representatives paused to honor victims of the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County and observed a moment of silence.

A member delivering the afternoon order recounted the lives of the four people killed in the shooting, identified in that floor statement as Richard ("Ricky") Aspinwall, Christina Irmin, 14-year-old Mason Skimmerhorn and 14-year-old Christian Angulo. The presenter commended the rapid response of Barrow County first responders, Barrow County Schools, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency and the Georgia State Patrol for actions on and after Sept. 4, 2024. The floor also referenced a statement attributed to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith calling the attack "an act of pure evil." The House observed a moment of silence for the victims and their families.

Why this matters: the chamber used an afternoon order to memorialize victims and to recognize the work of local and state responders and law-enforcement agencies. The remarks were delivered as expressions of condolence and to request continued prayers and support for the families.

What was not done: No legislative action, resolution vote or policy directive regarding school safety or criminal investigations was recorded on the floor during this remembrance; members requested silence and offered condolences but did not take formal action on policy changes during the same order.

Speakers and attribution: the transcript identifies the segment as an afternoon order presented by a member recognized jointly with others. The text of the remembrance was delivered from the well and recorded in the legislative journal. The floor record does not attribute committee or formal policy steps to that presentation.