In a shocking incident that has left the community of Winder, Georgia, reeling, the father of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old student accused of a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, has been arrested.
Colin Gray, 54, is facing multiple charges, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children, as reported by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The tragic event unfolded at Apalachee High School, where Colt Gray is alleged to have killed four individuals. During questioning, the young suspect reportedly admitted to the crime, stating, "I did it," according to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith. Despite being read his Miranda rights, the boy continued to engage with investigators.
In a disturbing revelation, Colin Gray informed investigators that he had purchased the firearm used in the killings as a holiday gift for his son. This information was previously reported by CNN. The potential legal repercussions for Colin Gray in connection with the shooting are yet to be determined, with Sheriff Smith stating that it would be up to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to file charges.
According to documents obtained by CNN, a Discord account linked to Colt Gray by the FBI last year referenced plans for a future mass shooting and shared screenshots of firearms. The account also expressed a desire to target an elementary school and voiced frustration with the acceptance of transgender people. The account was removed by Discord in May 2023 for violating its policy against extremism.
In a chilling post above a photograph of two firearms, the account declared, "I'm ready." Despite the FBI sharing this tip with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the investigation was closed after it was determined that the threat could not be substantiated.
Colin Gray's legal representation remains unclear, with the Barrow County Public Defender's Office unable to confirm whether they were representing him. CNN is actively working to ascertain this information.
The Mexican government has reported that one of the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting was a minor of Mexican nationality born in the United States. The Mexican consulate in Atlanta is currently in contact with the victim's relatives and US authorities. The victim was one of four individuals killed in the mass shooting at Apalachee High School, where approximately 25% of the students are of Hispanic origin.
Among the victims was Richard Aspinwall, a math teacher and high school football coach at Apalachee High School. He was remembered fondly by former colleagues, community members, and family as the kind of "man you want to coach your kid." Jason Turner, who coached alongside Aspinwall at Mountain View High School, described him as a hero. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to support Aspinwall's wife and their two daughters, raising nearly $200,000 so far.
In the aftermath of the shooting, President Joe Biden called on Congress to act on stronger gun control measures. He urged Congressional Republicans to say "enough is enough" and called for a ban on assault weapons, stronger background checks, an end to immunity for gun manufacturers, and accountability for parents who allow their children access to weapons.
Despite the tragedy, the accused, Colt Gray, will remain in the custody of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice until his 17th birthday, even though his case has been moved to the adult system. Under Georgia law, if a person aged 13 to 17 commits a serious crime, they are automatically tried as an adult. Gray faces four counts of felony murder.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this horrific event, the focus now shifts to understanding the motive behind the shooting and the circumstances that led to it. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into the suspect's family's previous contacts with the state's child protective services agency. The suspect's parents, who went through a bitter separation and custody dispute in recent years, have been accused of verbal abuse towards their family.
The investigation into this tragic event continues, with the hope that it will shed light on the circumstances that led to this devastating loss of life. The community, while mourning, is also rallying together, supporting each other in this time of grief and shock. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on seeking justice for the victims and preventing such tragedies in the future.
Login