Sen. Jason Anavitarte Marks One Year Since Apalachee High School Shooting, Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Georgia’s Children

ATLANTA (September 03, 2025) - Today, Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas) issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County:

"One year ago, our state was shaken to its core when lives were stolen in the halls of Apalachee High School. Families lost loved ones, and Georgia was reminded of the unthinkable pain that no parent, child teacher or community should ever have to endure. As we honor the memory of those we lost, we must recommit ourselves to the truth that protecting our children cannot be something we only do after tragedy strikes. It must be our constant duty. Georgia has taken bold, practical steps to protect our children, teachers and everyone who sets foot in a school setting. We will continue to listen, learn and legislate with the conviction that school should always be a place of safety, not fear."

Following the Apalachee tragedy, Sen. Anavitarte worked with victims' families, school leaders and his colleagues in the General Assembly to advance one of the most significant school safety packages in state history. Earlier this year, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 268, known in part as "Ricky and Alyssa's Law," named for Coach Ricky Aspinwall, who was killed that day, and 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, who lost her life in the Parkland, Florida shooting in 2018. This legislation strengthens school safety and accountability while ensuring every district has the tools to respond before tragedy occurs.

In addition to this landmark legislation, the state budget invests directly in the safety and well-being of Georgia's students. Lawmakers dedicated $108.9 million in annual grants for K-12 public schools, providing an average of $47,000 per school to upgrade security infrastructure, improve campus safety, and protect students and staff. The budget also includes $47.9 million dedicated to student mental-health programs, recognizing that prevention must also include supporting the emotional and psychological well-being of Georgia's young people.

"I am so grateful the state of Georgia has taken this tragedy and continued to make positive changes to ensure our schools are safe for every teacher, student and employee on campus," said Shayna Aspinwall. "I lost my husband. My daughters lost their dad at the ages of five and two. Students lost a teacher. Players lost a beloved coach. As a teacher myself, I am proud that Ricky and Alyssa's Law successfully passed in Georgia this year. I am inspired to believe that it is only the beginning of progress and changes to come that ensure that no one suffers a loss like the one my family and I suffered last year. Every teacher and student should be able to walk in a school in the morning and safely walk out in the afternoon to go home to their loved ones."

Sen. Frank Ginn also spoke on the tragic shooting that impacted Northeast Georgia one year ago:

"On September 4th, lives were changed forever in Georgia. All who call this state home were left grieving following an unimaginable school shooting.

No sympathy or statute can bring a child back into a parent's arms. As a parent who knows what it feels like to lose a child, I will spend my life both as a senator and a father fighting to ease the pain of every grieving community member impacted by that tragic day. I'm proud of the progress our legislature has made through actionable school safety legislation, and I know there will always be more conversations to have and ideas to put into action."

As Georgia reflects on this painful anniversary, Majority Leader Anavitarte reaffirmed his commitment to advancing policies that protect children and give educators and families the resources they need to keep schools safe. HB 268 officially took effect on July 1, 2025. You can find more information about it here.

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 31st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached via email at [email protected].

Sen. Frank Ginn represents the 47th Senate District which includes Madison County and portions of Barrow, Clarke, and Jackson County. He can be reached at (404) 656-4700 or by email at [email protected]. For all media inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].