Colin Gray, the ‘father of Colt Gray’, a teenager who walked to a police station to give himself up as a suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, was on multiple serious accusations in a Georgia court on Friday. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) charges Colin Gray with four involuntary manslaughter counts, two second-degree murder counts, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The charges grew from accusations that Gray allowed his son to handle a firearm.
As GBI Director Chris Hosey expressed, the allegations have to do with the state laws regarding underage gun ownership in Georgia. It is illegal to freely possess a handgun in Georgia but there are no age limits as to the age of a person who may own a rifle or shotgun.
Georgia: Court Hearing and the Expected 180-Year Sentence.
During the usual court procedures that led to a guilty plea, Judge Currie Mingledorff II warned Colin Gray that if convicted on all counts, he would be sentenced to about 180 years in prison. The judge also told him the rights he had and the defendant replied to the verbs affirmatively. District Attorney Brad Smith said he anticipates that new charges might be reached later, based on the current progression of the investigation and what other evidence may be found regarding Gray’s son, who would be charged with four felony murder counts.
Mass shootings tragically claim lives, and the incident on September 25, 2014, was no exception. On that day, Winder, Georgia residents faced a heartbreaking loss when Colt Gray, a gunman, fatally shot four people, including two students and two teachers, at Apalachee High School. The attack also left nine others injured, though Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith reported that their condition was stable, with the possibility of a full recovery.
Investigation into Weapon Purchase
Medical personnel treated and released at least seven of the wounded, while one remains under observation but is medically stable. Regarding the investigation, authorities are examining why Colin Gray purchased an AR-style weapon and a permit with his son in December 2023. Federal and local law enforcement agencies are currently investigating this matter.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s office interviewed Colt Gray and his father in May 2023 after receiving FBI tips about online threats related to a school shooting. At that time the investigators did not have enough information which would constitute a basis for arrest or other action. The report compiled by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the teenager had reported hacking the Discord account that he used to post the threats.
Family Background and Legal Proceedings
According to local police records, Colin and his wife were in the process of divorcing at the time of the incident. In the course of the proceeding, Colt Gray’s mother got custody of the other two children while the accused stayed with his father.
His adult trial began with the preliminary hearing on that Friday morning for Colt Gray. Criminal proceedings are still ongoing against the juvenile and his father as the investigation is in process and more details will come with the advancement of the case.
