Father of Georgia High School Shooting Suspect Faces Court on Multiple Charges
Colin Gray, the 54-year-old father of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, appeared in a Georgia courtroom on Friday. He faces serious charges including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced Gray’s arrest on Thursday, explaining that the charges stem from his alleged failure to prevent his son from possessing a weapon. The GBI Director, Chris Hosey, stated that the charges reflect Gray’s “knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon.”
During the court hearing, Judge Currie Mingledorff II informed Colin Gray that he could face up to 180 years in prison if convicted. Gray acknowledged the judge’s questions with a simple, “Yes, sir.”
District Attorney Brad Smith indicated that additional charges might be brought against both Gray and his son as the investigation progresses. The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers, with nine others injured. All nine are expected to recover fully, according to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.
Hospital officials reported that seven of the nine injured individuals have been treated and released, with at least one remaining hospitalized in stable condition.
Investigators are also looking into whether the AR-style weapon used in the shooting was purchased by Colt Gray’s father as a gift in December 2023.