A tragic incident took place at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, where a 14-year-old boy sent a message to his mom before he was killed in a mass shooting. His heartbroken sister has also spoken about the terrible event.
The boy, Mason Schermerhorn, was one of four victims who lost their lives in the shooting. He had texted his mom while hiding in a school restroom, but sadly, he didn’t make it out. Ronald Clark, a youth minister and chaplain, shared this information. He also mentioned how he tried to help search for Mason during the chaos of the shooting.
This story has left many grieving and searching for answers.
On the morning of September 4, when the shooting happened, Ronald Clark had stopped at a store on his way home. He received a call from his wife, who told him about the shooting at Apalachee High School. Clark immediately went to the school and offered his help to the police officers who were working at the command post.
Clark was assigned to assist the teams working on the investigation. After about an hour, he began encountering injured students who were in shock.
He described the situation as “challenging” and mentioned that although he wanted to help everyone, he understood that there was only so much he could do in such a large-scale tragedy.
Clark also highlighted the bravery of the victims who survived. He was impressed by their courage as they shared their experiences with him, which was part of their effort to cope with the trauma they had endured.
During the chaos, Clark tried to assist Mason Schermerhorn’s mom, whom he knew through work, in finding her son. She told Clark that she believed Mason, who was autistic, was safe because he had texted her from the restroom.
Clark remembered the mother saying, “Hey, I can’t find him. I’m just here to pick him up. I know he’s safe. He texted me that he’s in the restroom. Can you please help?”
The youth minister also highlighted what a great kid he was told Schermerhorn was, adding, “He […] loved life, didn’t have any issues with anyone. He was autistic, but that didn’t stop his glow.”
The youth minister also emphasized what a wonderful kid Mason Schermerhorn was. He said, “He […] loved life, didn’t have any issues with anyone. He was autistic, but that didn’t stop his glow.”
On September 5, WSB-TV released messages sent between a 14-year-old boy and his mom on Instagram. Although they didn’t reveal the boy’s identity, the messages provide a glimpse into how frightening and intense the situation was for those involved.
The boy reportedly texted his mom, “School shooting rn. I’m scared, pls, I’m not joking.” When she told him she was leaving work, he heartbreakingly replied with, “I love you.” In response to her question about where he was, he chillingly wrote, “Class. Someone’s dead.”
The 14-year-old shooter, Colt Gray, is expected to be charged with murder as an adult.
Following Mason Schermerhorn’s death, his sister, Alanna Wallace, has spoken about the tragedy in an interview with Fox 5 News’ Brittany Edney.
Wallace shared that her brother was a wonderful person who had a profound impact on many people, echoing the sentiments expressed by Clark.
Wallace, along with her family, shared touching videos of Mason Schermerhorn with Edney. She also talked about the hobbies Mason had recently picked up. He had started learning to play the trumpet because he wanted to follow in his big sister’s footsteps, as she had learned to play the instrument first.
Mason Schermerhorn also loved playing video games on his PS5, exploring virtual fantasy worlds with his VR headset, and visiting amusement parks. Wallace described her late little brother as a positive, energetic person and expressed how she can’t imagine life without him.
When asked what she wants the world to know about Mason Schermerhorn, Wallace said, “That he loved everyone […] No matter what they had, what disabilities, he loved everyone for them.”
Regarding how Wallace is coping with the tragedy, Edney shared that Wallace has been trying to channel her brother’s positive energy. Despite being her little brother, Mason had a protective, big brother vibe and always looked out for her.
Edney also noted that when she spoke to Wallace, the sister was surrounded by about eight friends who were there to support her. They gathered in a circle with some donuts, reminiscing about Mason Schermerhorn’s life and reassuring Wallace that they were there for her. Wallace mentioned that this sense of community is what is helping her get through this difficult time.
Our deepest condolences go out to Schermerhorn’s family and all the families affected by this horrific tragedy. We pray for healing and comfort during this difficult time of grief. Rest in peace, Mason Schermerhorn, and all the other victims who lost their lives.
If you can guess, you’re too good
Some riddles challenge your logic, while others test how quickly you can make connections between images and words. The visual puzzle above falls into the second category, presenting a simple yet tricky brain teaser. If you can figure it out within five seconds, you’re definitely sharp!
Let’s break down the clues, explore common mistakes, and guide you through solving this clever riddle.
What Do You See in the Puzzle?
The image consists of two main elements:
- A water droplet 💧
- A white t-shirt 👕
At first glance, these seem unrelated, but together, they hint at the name of a country. The challenge is simple: can you decipher it?
Common Mistakes People Make
Before we reveal the answer, let’s discuss a few common mistakes that make this puzzle tricky:
- Overcomplicating the Clues – Some people try to analyze the meaning of the objects too deeply, looking for complex wordplay when the answer is actually straightforward.
- Ignoring Phonetics – The key to solving this riddle lies in how the words sound, rather than what they literally represent.
- Thinking in Literal Terms – Instead of seeing the water droplet and t-shirt as direct objects, it’s important to break them down into the sounds they represent.
Now, let’s solve this step by step.
Video : Guess the Country by its Scrambled Name
Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Riddle
Step 1: Breaking Down the First Symbol – The Water Droplet
A droplet of water can be linked to the word “Thai”. In some contexts, “Thai” is associated with water, such as in traditional Thai culture where water festivals like Songkran play a significant role.
However, the most important clue here is phonetics. The word “Thai” sounds like the beginning of the name of a well-known country.
Step 2: Decoding the Second Symbol – The T-Shirt
A t-shirt is a piece of clothing, but in this case, we focus on how it sounds.
- The word “shirt” doesn’t quite fit, but if we shorten it to just “T”, it leads us in the right direction.
- Instead, the “land” part in “t-shirt” is what we need to focus on.
- Many countries end in “land” (e.g., Finland, Ireland, and of course, the correct answer: Thailand).
Step 3: Combining the Clues
Now that we have:
- Thai from the water droplet
- Land from the t-shirt
We get Thailand! 
Why This Riddle Is So Clever
This puzzle is a great example of visual and phonetic wordplay. Instead of relying on direct translations or meanings, it challenges the brain to think in sounds and combine simple clues to form a more complex answer.
It’s also effective because it uses common objects in an unexpected way, making it fun and engaging for all ages.
Video : Can You Guess the Country by Emoji? 🌎🚩
How Quickly Did You Solve It?
If you guessed Thailand within five seconds, congratulations! You have a sharp eye for patterns and quick thinking skills. If it took you longer, don’t worry—this puzzle tricks a lot of people because it requires thinking outside the box.
Share the Fun!
Now that you know the answer, challenge your friends and family! Send them the image and see how long it takes them to figure it out.
Leave a comment with how quickly you solved it, and let us know if you want more fun riddles like this! Who knows? Maybe you’re a puzzle-solving genius in the making!
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