Father of Georgia School Shooter Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Deadliest School Shooting

Colin Gray, the father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced on Thursday that Colin Gray faces two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter, and eight counts of cruelty to children. Authorities claim that Gray “knowingly allowed his son” access to firearms, which were used in the deadly attack.

The Charges Against Colin Gray

The arrest of Colin Gray, 54, marks a significant moment in the legal history of school shootings. The charges brought against him are among the most severe ever faced by a parent of an accused school shooter. According to GBI Director Chris Hosey, the charges stem directly from Gray’s actions that enabled his son to possess a weapon. “The charges are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon,” said Hosey during a Thursday evening press conference.

The Shooting at Apalachee High School

The shooting at Apalachee High School occurred on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, along with teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie. Nine other individuals were injured in the attack, but all are expected to survive. Witnesses described the harrowing moment when Colt Gray, armed with an AR-15-style rifle, tried to re-enter a classroom after leaving an algebra lesson. He fired 10-15 shots before school police officers apprehended him.

Previous Warning Signs

The arrest of Colin Gray follows revelations that law enforcement had previously investigated the teen for making online threats. In 2023, local authorities questioned Colt about school shooting threats made on Discord, a platform popular with gamers. However, they found no conclusive evidence linking him to the posts. At the time, Colin Gray assured officers that his son did not have unsupervised access to firearms, though the latest investigation suggests otherwise.

Family’s Response

Family members of the accused shooter have spoken out, shedding light on the troubled home life of Colt Gray and questioning whether more could have been done to prevent the tragedy. “My grandson did what he did because of the environment he lived in,” said Charles Polhamus, the teen’s grandfather. Colt’s aunt, Annie Brown, also expressed frustration, stating that her nephew had been “begging” for mental health support in the months leading up to the shooting.

A Troubling Pattern

The case against Colin Gray echoes a similar case from Michigan, where the parents of a school shooter were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for failing to secure a firearm. In both cases, the parents were aware of their child’s mental health issues and potential for violence, yet failed to take adequate measures to prevent access to firearms. The parallels between the two instances have reignited discussions on parental responsibility in cases of gun violence. Karen McDonald, the prosecutor who led the Michigan case, commented on the similarities, stating, “It’s so tough to see it repeated.”

Legal Proceedings

Colin Gray remains in custody, and his son, Colt, has been charged with four counts of felony murder. The boy’s first court appearance is scheduled for Friday morning, where he is expected to face additional charges related to the attack, including attempted murder for the nine individuals who were injured and illegal possession of a firearm by a minor.

As investigators continue to examine the details surrounding the case, it becomes increasingly clear that there were missed opportunities to prevent the tragedy. This case, along with the broader issue of gun ownership and access in households across the country, underscores the urgent need for prevention and responsibility in cases of gun violence.