Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Appears Significantly Different in Court; Medical Evaluation Pending

Colt Gray, the teen accused in the Sept. 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School, appeared in court on Tuesday with a markedly different appearance from the widely circulated booking photo. In his earlier mugshot the then-14-year-old had shoulder-length, dyed blond hair; at the hearing the now-15-year-old presented a neater look with slicked-back dark hair, glasses, a collared shirt under a quarter-zip and khaki trousers.

Court Proceedings and Legal Status

Gray is charged in connection with the attack that allegedly killed four people and wounded nine others. The deceased victims included two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14.

From left to right: Math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, along with Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, officials say.

In October 2024, a grand jury indicted Colt Gray on 55 criminal counts, including four counts of felony murder. His father, Colin Gray, faces a separate indictment on 29 counts — including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. Media reports note the elder Gray could face up to 180 years in prison if convicted; Colt, as a minor, faces a potential sentence of life imprisonment and is not eligible for the death penalty.

Defense, Evaluation and Next Steps

Attorney Aisha Broderick, who was appointed to represent Gray in October, told the judge a court-ordered medical evaluation remains incomplete. According to CBS News, the assessment is expected to be finished by the end of February and will help inform the defense strategy. Gray's next hearing is scheduled for March 18, 2026.

The suspected shooter was identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student.

Earlier Contacts With Law Enforcement

Law enforcement records indicate the Jackson County Sheriff's Office visited the Gray household multiple times in 2023. Officials say deputies flagged the younger Gray as a person of interest after an online threat in May 2023 targeting the middle school he attended; deputies investigated and spoke with Colt and his father at their home on May 21, 2023.

Reporting: Details in court and the ongoing legal process were reported by CBS News and summarized in other outlets, with contributions from Fox News Digital reporters Peter D'Abrosca and Stepheny Price.

The case remains active and is likely to develop as the pending medical evaluation is completed and subsequent hearings take place.