Father of Accused Georgia School Shooter Faces Trial

Students recount horror of being shot as prosecutors seek to hold father responsible for providing gun

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Students in Georgia have testified in court about the terror of a school shooting two years ago, recounting seeing a classmate in a pool of blood and fearing for their own lives. The trial is for Colin Gray, the father of the accused shooter Colt Gray, who investigators say carefully planned the attack that left two teachers and two students dead. Prosecutors are arguing that Colin Gray should be held responsible for providing the weapon despite warnings about alleged threats his son had made.

Why it matters

This case is part of a growing trend where prosecutors are trying to hold parents accountable when their children are accused in fatal school shootings. It raises questions about parental responsibility, gun control, and mental health support for troubled youth.

The details

Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, faces 29 counts including murder and child cruelty. Prosecutors say Colin Gray gave his son the gun as a gift despite knowing about his son's obsession with school shooters and deteriorating mental health. The father was warned about online threats made by his son but did not take action to get him mental health treatment or restrict his access to firearms.

  • In September 2021, Colt Gray used a school computer to search 'how to kill your dad'.
  • In May 2023, law enforcement acted on an FBI tip about a shooting threat traced to the Gray family's home computer.
  • That Christmas, Colin Gray gave his son the gun as a gift and continued to buy him ammunition.
  • Three weeks before the shooting, Colt Gray sent his father a chilling text: 'Whenever something happens, just know the blood is on your hands.'

The players

Colin Gray

The father of the accused school shooter, who is on trial for providing the gun to his son despite warnings about his son's threats and deteriorating mental health.

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old accused of carefully planning and carrying out the school shooting that left two teachers and two students dead.

Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith

The prosecutor arguing that Colin Gray should be held responsible for his son's actions by providing him the weapon.

Brian Hobbs

The attorney for Colin Gray, who argues the shooting's planning was hidden from the father.

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What they’re saying

“I was also worried that I was going to die and how that would affect my parents because my dad has a heart problem.”

— Ninth-grade student (Los Angeles Times)

“I remember yelling at him that we were kids, because we were kids.”

— Ninth-grade student (Los Angeles Times)

“This case is about this defendant and his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that that child was going to harm others.”

— Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith (Los Angeles Times)

“That's the difference between tragedy and criminal liability. You cannot hold someone criminally responsible for failing to predict what was intentionally hidden from them.”

— Brian Hobbs, Attorney for Colin Gray (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Colin Gray out on bail during the trial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing debate around parental responsibility and accountability when it comes to gun violence involving minors. It raises difficult questions about how to balance individual rights with public safety, and whether more can be done to identify and intervene with troubled youth before tragedies occur.