The two teachers who were killed in Wednesday morning's shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County had ties to Gainesville and Hall County.
Hall County Schools officials confirmed Thursday morning that Richard Aspinwall, age 39, was the husband of Shayna Aspinwall, a teacher and head boys and girls tennis coach at Flowery Branch High School. Richard Aspinwall was in his second year as an assistant football coach at Apalachee after previously working at Dunwoody High School as well as Mountain View High School in neighboring Gwinnett County.
"Our hearts are broken over this tragedy. Our prayers are with all the families of the victims," Hall County School District Spokesman Stan Lewis said Thursday.
The other teacher who was killed, Cristina Irimie, age 53, was previously employed with the Gainesville City School System. Gainesville Superintendent Jeremy Williams confirmed Thursday afternoon that Irimie did her student teaching in the system and taught at Gainesville Middle School for several years, leaving just prior to the school's split into east and west campuses with her last year in the system coming in 2021-2022.
"There's a different sense within those classrooms, because when you have a personal connection, it's a different level of tragedy," Williams said. "The tragic events yesterday at Apalachee we know impact communities near and far."
Two students at Apalachee High School were also killed in Wednesday's shooting. They were identified as Christian Angulo and Mason Shermerhorn, both ages 14.
