Families of Apalachee High School shooting victims plan lawsuits against agencies
In northeast Georgia, families of three victims from last year’s Apalachee High School shooting say government failures contributed to the tragedy — and they plan to sue.
(CNN)- In northeast Georgia, families of three victims from last year’s Apalachee High School shooting say government failures contributed to the tragedy — and they plan to sue.
New ante litem notices accuse several agencies of negligence, including the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Barrow County School District. The families of Richard Aspinwall, Christian Angulo, and Mason Schermerhorn allege law enforcement mishandled earlier threats and that the school district ignored warning signs.
Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum maintains her office notified schools about potential threats but added, “The schools are saying they have no documentation of it.”
Legal analyst Joshua Schiffer, who is not connected to the case, says the lawsuits face an uphill battle because of government immunity protections. “A lot of these agencies are going to hide behind sovereign immunity,” he explained, “because without it, it would be virtually impossible for the government to conduct business.”
If the families move forward, a judge will decide which claims can proceed. Schiffer noted Georgia agencies often invoke immunity successfully, meaning many cases end before they truly begin.
