The attorney now representing the Foley woman accused of bringing a loaded gun into Elberta Elementary School says the case bears little resemblance to the mass-casualty school shootings that have shaped the nation’s fears since Columbine nearly 16 years ago.
Fairhope attorney John Beck, newly assigned to defend 51-year-old Barbara Grice, said the circumstances differ sharply from the prototypical image of an armed intruder entering a school intent on harming children at random. “This is not a case of some random act of violence designed to put any kids in danger, and there is going to be a whole lot more to this situation,” Beck said.
His comments came as an online support network for Grice began to grow, including a dedicated Facebook page and a post from her daughter describing the aftermath of her father’s 2010 death, which the family says contributed to mental health struggles and substance abuse. Supporters on social media have pushed back against how Grice has been portrayed publicly, arguing that media coverage and Baldwin County authorities have unfairly cast her as a threat rather than someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Some have floated the idea of a legal defense fund, though an early GoFundMe campaign was taken down; supporters are now working to set up a bank account instead.
Beck, who replaced attorney Chris Salter on the case, said the change in representation is a routine occurrence in the early stages of a criminal case and declined to elaborate further, saying he was still familiarizing himself with the details. Salter had previously said Grice would likely undergo a mental evaluation ahead of trial, noting that even after handling cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to capital murder, this case presented an unusual set of circumstances regarding mental capacity.
Grice faces charges of attempted murder, making a terrorist threat, possessing a deadly weapon on school grounds and second-degree burglary. Prosecutors have said Grice understood her actions were wrong when she entered the school armed with a loaded revolver, allegedly searching for her sister. Investigators have said a bullet was later recovered at the school.
The incident, which occurred in late February, prompted a full lockdown at Elberta Elementary. No students were injured. In the aftermath, school officials held a debriefing to review security procedures and identify ways to tighten safety measures going forward. Baldwin County schools spokesman Terry Wilhite said the district’s primary focus remains supporting the active law enforcement investigation, while ensuring school staff are available to assist parents with concerns.
The case remains active as Grice awaits further court proceedings, with her new attorney indicating additional details about the circumstances of the incident are likely to emerge as the case develops.