Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson meets Apalachee High School football team in wake of school shooting
ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – In the wake of a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, some students were uplifted by a special celebrity visit last week.
The high school’s football team got to meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at a production soundstage in Atlanta, the star announced on Instagram.
Johnson promised his support to the school, saying one of the best ways to heal “is through our smiles, laughter and joy.”
“I didn’t know what to expect when I walked in to meet them - I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by their spirit and energy,” Johnson wrote in his Instagram post. “I looked these kids in their eyes and hugged ‘em - I know they’re in great pain, but man are they resilient and staying strong.”
On Sept. 4, two teachers and two 14-year-old students were killed in the shooting. One of the victims was Ricky Aspinwall, a math teacher and one of the football team’s assistant coaches.
“We love you Coach A,” a sign at the soundstage read.
Apalachee High School partially opened again on Tuesday, holding half-day classes until fall break ends in mid-October.
The hall where the shooting happened will be closed. Counselors, therapy dogs and more law enforcement officers will be on-site, the school said.
The shooting suspect, 14-year-old Colt Gray, currently faces four murder charges. His father, Colin Gray, was also arrested and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. He is accused of letting Colt have access to the AR-style rifle allegedly used during the shooting.
The school canceled some football games after the shooting, but Johnson promised to attend the first home game.
“As we said goodbyes, the last kid I hugged said, ‘We needed this, Rock.’ (So did I),” he wrote.
He continued, “PS, I’m in touch with Coach Hancock and as promised, I’ll be there for your first home game.”
Copyright 2024 WANF via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
