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Mother of Apalachee High School victim to file lawsuit

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
(AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

The mother of one of the students killed in last September’s shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia announced plans to file a lawsuit against officials in Barrow and Jackson Counties.

Breanna Schermerhorn is the mother of 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn. He was among four people killed by a fellow student last year.

In June, Schermerhorn’s lawyers sent a letter to school officials in Jackson and Barrow Counties, among other parties, announcing her intent to file a lawsuit.

She plans to sue for $25 million. Her lawyers allege that “systemic negligence, policy failures, and a complete breakdown of communication and accountability” led to Mason Schermerhorn’s death.

Barrow County School System said in a statement Tuesday that it is committed to the safety of its students, staff, and families, but did not comment directly on the potential litigation.

Jackson County School System did not respond to a request for comment by press time.

Emma Auer is an award-winning reporter who joined WUGA as a full-time producer in 2024. She is also a graduate student in UGA's Romance Languages Department, studying French and Spanish. She covers the breadth of Northeast Georgia stories, from Athens City Hall to Winterville farmers' markets. Emma's work has also been heard on Georgia Public Broadcasting.