Georgia Father Convicted in Son’s Alleged School Shooting
A Georgia jury has convicted
Colin Gray, 55, of
second-degree murder and multiple other charges in connection with the
Sept. 4, 2024 mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, northeast of Atlanta
Yahoo+1.
The Case
Prosecutors say Gray purchased an
AR‑15‑style rifle and gave it to his 14‑year‑old son,
Colt Gray, as a Christmas gift, despite warnings that Colt posed a danger
Yahoo+1. Colt is accused of killing
two students (Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo) and
two teachers (Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie) during the attack, injuring another teacher and eight students
Yahoo+1.
Charges and Verdict
The jury found Gray guilty on
27 counts, including:
- Two counts of second‑degree murder (Georgia law applies this to killing a child through cruelty or recklessness) Yahoo+1
- Two counts of involuntary manslaughter
- Multiple counts of reckless conduct and cruelty to children Yahoo+1
The trial lasted nearly two weeks, with testimony from teachers, students, law enforcement, and family members. Prosecutors presented evidence of prior disturbing writings, online activity linked to school shooting ideation, and a “shrine” to the 2018 Parkland shooter Nicholas Cruz
abcnews.com+1. Gray’s estranged wife, Marcee Gray, testified she urged him to lock away all guns before the shooting
Yahoo+1.
Sentencing
Gray faces
up to 30 years for second‑degree murder and
up to 10 years for involuntary manslaughter, potentially totaling
180 years in prison