Father of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Knew Son’s Obsession with School Shooters, Prosecutors Say
In a recent court hearing, prosecutors revealed that the father of a teenage suspect in a deadly high school shooting in Georgia was well aware of his son’s obsession with school shooters. The prosecutors stated that the father, Colin Gray, knew that his son had a shrine dedicated to the gunman involved in the 2018 Parkland, Florida massacre.
The court heard that Colin Gray had given his son, Colt, the assault-style weapon that was used in the shooting as a Christmas gift. Investigators testified that Colin was also aware of his son’s deteriorating mental health in the weeks leading up to the tragic incident at Apalachee High School.
Colt Gray, aged 14, faces four counts of murder for allegedly using the gun to take the lives of two fellow students and two teachers at the high school in Winder. Due to his age, Colt’s maximum penalty, if found guilty, would be life without parole.
During the court proceedings, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Kelsey Ward recounted how Colin Gray had even questioned his son about the individuals depicted in pictures hanging in his room, one of whom was Nikolas Cruz, the perpetrator of the Parkland school shooting.
Ward further testified that Colt’s mother, Marcee Gray, had acknowledged her son’s escalating interest in firearms over the past year. The court also heard that Colt had requested his father to buy him a black “shooter mask” as part of a chilling joke related to school shooters.
Colin Gray purchased the weapon for his son as a Christmas present, along with a larger magazine to hold more rounds. The ammunition for the gun was also bought by the father, according to sheriff’s investigator Jason Smith.
As a result of these revelations, Colin Gray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder in connection to the shooting. His lawyers did not provide immediate comments on the matter during the court session.
The judge overseeing the case ruled that the prosecution had met the required standard to proceed with the charges against the father. The case will now advance to Superior Court for further proceedings.
This incident comes on the heels of the first-ever conviction of parents in a mass school shooting case in Michigan, where parents were found guilty of negligence in securing a firearm at home. The Georgia school shooting has reignited discussions around gun safety laws and the importance of addressing mental health issues among young individuals.
The tragic events have prompted other parents to engage in conversations with their children about school shootings and mental well-being to prevent similar occurrences in the future.