The father of the teen accused in the September 4, 2024, Apalachee High School shooting is set to stand trial on nearly 30 counts, including murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors allege Colin Gray bought the AR-15–style rifle used in the attack as a Christmas gift and allowed his son access despite prior warnings of online threats. Jury selection begins Monday and the trial is expected to last about three weeks. The case is being watched alongside similar prosecutions of parents in school shootings.
Father Of Accused Apalachee Shooter Goes On Trial After Alleged Christmas Gift Firearm
Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, has pleaded not guilty to murder and manslaughter charges. - Brynn Anderson/Pool/Getty Images
The father of the teenager accused of the September 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, is scheduled to stand trial on nearly 30 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors contend Colin Gray supplied the AR-15–style rifle used in the attack and gave his son access to it despite earlier warnings.
What Happened
Authorities say then-14-year-old Colt Gray used an AR-15–style rifle to kill two students and two teachers and injure nine others. The teen surrendered to a school resource officer at the scene and, according to law enforcement, has admitted to the shooting. The first 911 calls reporting an active shooter came in around 10:20 a.m. on the morning of the attack.
Allegations Against the Father
The indictment alleges Colin Gray purchased the rifle as a Christmas present in December 2023 and allowed his son access to the firearm and ammunition after receiving prior warnings that the boy could be dangerous. Prosecutors argue those actions constituted criminal negligence because Gray allegedly consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk to others.
Earlier Warning Signs
More than a year before the shooting, in May 2023, local authorities questioned Colt and his father about anonymous online tips that included threats and photos of guns. No charges were filed at that time because investigators said they lacked probable cause. Video of that interview shows Colin Gray acknowledging he kept guns at home and that his son had access to them.
Charges, Potential Penalties and Related Proceedings
Colin Gray has pleaded not guilty to nearly 30 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. He has been held in custody since his arrest the day after the shooting. If convicted, he faces 10 to 30 years on each murder count and 1 to 10 years on each manslaughter count.
The accused shooter, now 16, has been indicted on 55 felony counts — including four counts of malice murder — and will be tried as an adult. He has pleaded not guilty; no trial date for him has been set.
Context And Comparisons
Prosecutors and advocates have increasingly sought to hold parents and others accountable in mass shootings. The case has been compared to the 2021 Oxford, Michigan, prosecution of James and Jennifer Crumbley, who were convicted of manslaughter after their son killed four classmates. Legal commentators say juror sympathy for victims can make such prosecutions emotionally charged and legally complex.
What To Expect In Trial
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday and the trial is expected to last about three weeks. Testimony will likely include emotional accounts from survivors, faculty and first responders. Defense strategy may focus on whether Gray took reasonable precautions — for example, securing the weapon, limiting access, or seeking mental health or school interventions — while prosecutors will emphasize the prior warnings and the alleged purchase and access to the rifle.
Note: This report is based on court documents and statements from law enforcement. Developments in an ongoing criminal case may change as proceedings advance.
CNN’s Devon M. Sayers contributed to this report.
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