Colin Gray, the father of a school shooter in the United States, has been convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter due to his son’s attack on Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024.
On March 3, a jury deliberated for less than two hours before reaching a verdict in this southern state.
Colin Gray was found guilty on all counts. His son, Colt Gray, only 14 years old at the time, opened fire at his high school, resulting in the deaths of two students and two teachers, with seven others suffering injuries.
This case is part of a growing trend where parents are being held legally accountable for neglecting their duties regarding minors and firearms in relation to school shootings.
Colin Gray’s conviction comes after Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of another shooter, were also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in 2024.
Prosecutors claimed that Gray facilitated his son’s attack by providing him with a firearm and ammunition.
Among the charges against him were two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.
Furthermore, he was convicted on two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Additionally, he was found guilty of reckless conduct.
Colin Gray now faces a potential life sentence, with his sentencing date yet to be determined.
His defense team argued that he should not be held liable for his son’s actions, stating that Colt alone made the choice to execute the school shooting.
Gray’s lawyers contended that he is a single father struggling to raise three children.
During his testimony, Gray expressed that he never believed his son was capable of causing such violence until the shooting occurred.
“I could have done better,” he acknowledged in court when questioned regarding his son’s mental health.
However, Gray denied noticing any warning signs before the shooting and insisted he had instructed his son that the gun was intended exclusively for hunting and target practice.
Prior to his conviction on Tuesday, Gray had pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors maintained that Gray ignored multiple warning signals before the attack, notably his son’s increasing obsession with previous school shootings.
They emphasized that as a father, Gray bore the responsibility of preventing his son from accessing firearms, especially given his son’s existing mental health issues.
“We discuss a lot about rights in our society,” stated Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith post-verdict.
“But there is a divine obligation for us to safeguard our children, and I hope we all recognize that duty as parents and community members.”
Colt Gray’s mother, Marcee Gray, testified that she had encouraged Colin to take away their son’s weapons before the shooting incident.
At the time, the couple was separated, and Marcee was not charged in connection with the school shooting.
Colin Gray allegedly gifted his son a semiautomatic AR-15-style rifle as a Christmas present. Just prior to the shooting, Colt sent a text to his father saying, “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault,” and also sent an apology to his mother.
In a separate criminal case, Colt Gray faces 55 charges, including malice murder and felony murder, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
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