Authorities give details on arrest of Georgia school shooting suspect’s father
Colin Gray, the father of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspect in the tragic Georgia high school shooting, has been arrested. The shooting, which took place at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, left four people dead and several others injured. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed Colin Gray’s arrest on Thursday, September 5, and announced the charges against him.
Colin Gray, 54, has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The charges stem from allegations that he allowed his son to have access to firearms, which were used in the deadly school shooting. His son, Colt Gray, has already been charged with four counts of felony murder in connection to the incident.
According to law enforcement officials, the mass shooting took place around noon on September 4, when Colt Gray entered Apalachee High School with a firearm. The attack resulted in the deaths of two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53. In addition to the fatalities, nine others were injured, though authorities have stated that they are expected to recover fully.
The community of Winder has been left reeling in the wake of the tragic event, with parents, students, and teachers struggling to comprehend the violence that took place within their school. Local police responded swiftly to the scene, taking Colt Gray into custody shortly after the shooting occurred. Students were evacuated as authorities began the investigation.
During a press conference on Thursday night, officials revealed that Colin Gray’s arrest was a result of his “knowing and willful” failure to prevent his son from accessing firearms. The GBI stated that Colin had hunting guns in the house, and although he claimed they were kept secure, it appears Colt was able to gain access to at least one weapon. Investigators have also uncovered evidence of previous threats made by Colt, which law enforcement had been aware of.
In May 2023, Colt had been interviewed by the FBI following reports that he had made threats online about committing a school shooting. While his father assured investigators that Colt did not have unsupervised access to guns, and Colt denied making any threats, no action was taken at that time. Schools in the area were notified of the situation and instructed to monitor the student, but no further steps were taken.
As news of the arrest spread, there has been a growing conversation about the responsibility of parents in such situations. Many community members are expressing concern that this tragedy could have been prevented if more decisive action had been taken earlier.
The victims of the shooting have been remembered by their friends and families as beloved members of the school community. Both students and teachers were described as kind and dedicated individuals who touched many lives. Vigils have been held in their honor, as the town of Winder comes to terms with the loss.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence in the case. As both Colin and Colt Gray await their day in court, the focus is on preventing future tragedies like this one.
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