Apalachee Students Hosted By Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, ATL Falcons

ATLANTA, GA — In the wake of a tragic mass shooting that took the lives of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School, famed actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and the Atlanta Falcons recently showed their support to the Georgia school.

Authorities said Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school, opened fire inside Apalachee on Sept. 4. The shooting killed Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, both 14, and teachers 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall and 53-year-old Cristina Irimie, authorities said in the past. Nine people were injured in the deadly shooting.

Gray hid an assault-style rifle in his backpack, and after being permitted to leave a classroom, he retrieved the rifle while in a restroom and began shooting, the GBI previously said. Gray also had a knife, the GBI said.

The teenage boy was charged on suspicion of four counts of felony murder and will be tried as an adult, the GBI said. His father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, is also facing charges after authorities said he allowed his son to have a weapon.

While some Barrow County students returned to school about two weeks ago, Apalachee students are set to return to the classroom Tuesday.

But first, the school's football team recently met with Johnson at an Atlanta soundstage where he has been filming. The internationally known actor shared on Sunday a brief video clip of the meet-and-greet via Facebook.

The video showed the group of smiling students shaking hands with Johnson.

"Sometimes one of the best paths to begin the healing journey is through our smiles, laughter and joy. ... As the world knows, Apalachee High School in Winder, GA, has endured the unimaginable tragedy of a mass shooting. I didn’t know what to expect when I walked in to meet them - I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by their spirit and energy. 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," Johnson wrote in the post.

"It was as if they just needed a reason, an opportunity to just “let it all go” in this moment. As we said goodbyes, the last kid I hugged said, 'we needed this Rock' (so did I). I can’t begin to imagine what these players and all the students, teachers & staff of Apalachee High are going through right now, but I’m here in any and every way I can be - to give my support and love to them and their families as they begin their healing journey. God bless you all. We Are One Apalachee."

Johnson promised to attend Apalachee's first home football game.

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At their bout with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Falcons honored Apalachee by making two of its football players honorary captains, the Apalachee football team tweeted Sunday.

The players were identified as Favian Williford and Jason White, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Members of the Apalachee football team spent time on the sideline before kickoff, the news outlet reported.

Previously, the Falcons showed support by wearing Apalachee T-shirts and having a moment of silence during their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"It definitely meant a lot," Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett told Fox 5. "I played Apalachee when I was in high school."

Apalachee is reopening Tuesday in phases. Barrow County Schools officials said students will have half days through Oct. 4 "to help them ease back into the routine at a comfortable pace."

After fall break, students will fully go back to school on Oct. 14.

Law-enforcement presence will increase at Barrow school campuses, and therapy dogs will be available, officials said.

“We know this isn’t easy,” BCSS Superintendent Dr. Dallas LeDuff said in a news release. “We are all still navigating our way through adversity and emotions we may never fully understand. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. We are committed to holding discussions with our community and safety experts about additional layers of security.”