Colin Gray, Father Of Suspected Georgia School Shooter, Arrested
Colin Gray, the father of the suspect in a deadly school shooting that left four people dead in Georgia this week, was arrested in connection with the attack, state officials announced Thursday.
Gray, 54, faces a slate of charges including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
“These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon,” Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said at a press conference.
Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, was arrested Wednesday after the shooting and charged with felony murder.
UPDATE #2 - September 5, 2024:
In coordination with District Attorney Brad Smith, the GBI has arrested Colin Gray, age 54, in connection to the shooting at Apalachee High School. Colin is Colt Gray’s father.
(1/3)— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) September 5, 2024
Two students and two teachers were killed at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday after a gunman opened fire. Nine others were injured ― two teachers and seven students ― although officials said Thursday all nine are expected to make a full recovery and some had been released from the hospital.
The shooter used an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle, according to officials. Eviction records obtained by media show the suspect’s father owned a black AR-15 in 2022.
Several mediaoutlets reported Thursday Colin Gray told investigators he bought his son a gun as a holiday gift last December, although officials did not confirm that detail during a press conference.
Investigators have been looking into a motive behind the shooting.
The FBI said Wednesday law enforcement officials had investigated online threats made by an email account belonging to Colt Gray in May 2023 after receiving several tips. At the time, the younger Gray denied he had made them and claimed his account on the social media site Discord had been hacked.
At the time, Colin Gray told investigators there were hunting rifles in his house, but that his son did not have “unfettered” access to them, The New York Times reported.
“I’m going to be mad as hell if he did” make threats, Colin Gray said in an interview in May 2023. “Then all the guns will go away.”
The investigation ended with no determination or arrest, the FBI said Wednesday.
“Due to the inconsistent nature of the information received by the FBI, the allegation that Colt or Colin is the user behind the Discord account that made the threat cannot be substantiated, ” an investigator wrote at the time.
Colt Gray will have his first court appearance on Friday. Officials said he is expected to be tried as an adult.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
