Two teachers and two students were gunned down at Apalachee High School in Barrow County on Sept. 4. The suspect, a 14-year-old student, is also accused of shooting and injuring nine others.
Colt Gray and his father, Colin Gray, 54, who also faces charges, had their first court appearances Sept. 6. Neither sought bail.
It’s the second time in the United States, and the first time in Georgia, that a parent faces charges for a mass shooting carried out by their child, District Attorney Brad Smith said.
Quick facts
Around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and GBI, responded to the school, located about 45 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and about 30 miles west of Athens.
The victims were identified as students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and two adults: assistant football coach Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, 39, and math teacher Cristina Irimie, 53.
The survivors include eight students and one teacher, according to the GBI.
Colt Gray, who faces four counts of felony murder, had previously been investigated by local and federal law enforcement for allegedly threatening a school shooting.
Colin Gray was arrested Sept. 5 on four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. Those charges “stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon,” GBI Director Chris Hosey said.
What we know about the victims, survivors
Several fundraisers have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars to support families of the deceased victims with funeral and other expenses. Other fundraisers are geared toward helping the survivors with medical costs. They include one teacher and eight students, all of whom are expected to survive.
The community gathered for Ricky Aspinwall on Sept. 8. On Saturday, funerals for Cristina Irimie and Mason Schermerhorn are taking place. A funeral for Christian Angulo is scheduled for Sept. 20.
Read more about the victims and their funeral arrangements here.
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To find all verified fundraisers benefiting Apalachee High School victims, visit this GoFundMe page.
What we know about the suspect
Colt Gray is being held in the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center and will be tried as an adult.
When he was investigated in May 2023, the FBI said it received several anonymous tips about someone on the online messaging platform Discord talking about plans to commit a school shooting at an unspecified time and location. Federal authorities traced the account to Jefferson, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was tapped to follow up by questioning the teen, who denied making the threats.
“I gotta take you at your word, and I hope you’re being honest with me,” Jackson County Sheriff’s Office investigator Daniel Miller Jr. told the then-middle schooler before he left the interview.
No charges were filed in the case.
Colin Gray also spoke to investigators at the time, saying his son had access to guns, but they were unloaded. The father said he had been trying to teach his son how to use firearms safely.
Colt Gray is accused of using an AR-style weapon on Sept. 4. No alleged motive has been released.
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How the community is coping
There has been a massive outpouring of support for the victims, their families and the high school community at large.
The school district closed for the remainder of the week following the shooting. Schools reopened Tuesday, but Apalachee High remains closed. Superintendent Dallas LeDuff said officials will discuss reopening plans with students, parents and teachers at the appropriate time.
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What’s next
Colt Gray is expected to face additional charges in coming weeks, DA Brian Smith said. The grand jury’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17, and those additional charges could be presented for indictment at that time.
A Dec. 4 preliminary hearing has been scheduled for both Colt and Colin Gray, a judge said Sept. 5.
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