A devastating school shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024, leaving four people dead and nine others injured. The alleged shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray, is now facing four counts of felony murder and several additional charges. This tragic incident has once again ignited debates surrounding gun control and parental responsibility, with both Colt and his father, Colin Gray, facing serious legal repercussions.
The victims of the shooting were identified as two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two staff members, assistant football coach Richard Aspinwall and math teacher Christina Irimie. Several others, including six students and one teacher, sustained gunshot wounds, while two other individuals were injured in the chaos.
Here’s Colin Gray, the father of the Apalachee High School shooter, at his first court appearance after being charged with murder in Georgia.
He’s facing up to 180 years in prison for giving his son the AR-platform gun to use in the shooting.
Good!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FKytbTVGBJ
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) September 6, 2024
Colt Gray allegedly used an AR-style rifle during the attack, a weapon that authorities believe he obtained as a gift from his father. Colin Gray has been charged with second-degree murder for enabling his son to access the firearm. According to investigators, this case is part of a growing trend where parents are being held accountable for the actions of their children in school shootings.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed that Colt Gray will be tried as an adult, a decision based on the severity of the crimes.
#BREAKING : This is Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspect in the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School that claimed four lives and injured nine others. The photo was shared by a former classmate who attended elementary school with Gray in the third grade.#ApalacheeHighSchool… pic.twitter.com/bFFH9Hba9q
— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 5, 2024
This isn't the first time Colt Gray had been on law enforcement's radar. In May 2023, authorities were alerted to a threatening message in a group chat on Discord, allegedly posted by Colt, suggesting a potential school shooting. However, after investigating, law enforcement concluded that there was insufficient evidence to arrest him at the time.
This has raised further questions about whether more could have been done to prevent this tragic event.
The aftermath of the shooting has left the community in shock. Vigils have been held to honor the victims, and local leaders, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, have called for prayers and support for the families affected. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
Colt Gray is set to make his first court appearance on Friday. The hearing will be conducted virtually, with the teenager appearing from a juvenile detention center where he is currently being held. As the investigation progresses, the GBI has indicated that more charges could be filed against both Colt and his father.
