Georgia students recount horror of school shooting as father of accused gunman goes on trial

Prosecutors argue father is criminally liable for providing gun despite warnings about son's alleged threats

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Georgia high school students testified in court about the horrors of being shot during their algebra class two years ago, recounting through tears seeing a classmate in a pool of blood and fearing they might die. The trial is for Colin Gray, the father of Colt Gray, who investigators said had carefully planned the September 2024 shooting at the school northeast of Atlanta that left two teachers and two students dead and several others wounded. Prosecutors argue Colin Gray should be held responsible for providing the weapon despite warnings about alleged threats his son made.

Why it matters

This case is one of several around the nation where prosecutors are trying to hold parents responsible after their children are accused in fatal shootings, raising questions about parental liability and the role of mental health intervention in preventing such tragedies.

The details

Colt Gray, who was 14 years old at the time of the shooting, faces 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter and numerous counts of second-degree cruelty to children related to the shooting. Prosecutors argue that Colin Gray's actions in allowing his son access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned amount to cruelty to children, and second-degree murder is defined in Georgia law as causing the death of a child by committing the crime of cruelty to children. However, the defense argues the shooting's planning and timing 'were hidden by Colt Gray from his father' and that 'you cannot hold someone criminally responsible for failing to predict what was intentionally hidden from them'.

  • The shooting occurred on September 4, 2024.
  • In September 2021, Colt Gray used a school computer to search the phrase, 'how to kill your dad.'
  • In May 2023, law enforcement acted on a tip from the FBI after a shooting threat was made online concerning an elementary school, which was traced to a computer at Gray's home.
  • Three weeks before the shooting, Gray received a chilling text from his son: 'Whenever something happens, just know the blood is on your hands.'

The players

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old accused shooter who carefully planned the September 2024 attack that left two teachers and two students dead and several others wounded.

Colin Gray

The father of Colt Gray, who is on trial for providing the weapon to his son despite warnings about alleged threats he made.

Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith

The prosecutor arguing that Colin Gray should be held responsible for providing the weapon despite warnings about alleged threats his son made.

Brian Hobbs

The attorney for Colin Gray, who argues the shooting's planning and timing 'were hidden by Colt Gray from his father' and that 'you cannot hold someone criminally responsible for failing to predict what was intentionally hidden from them'.

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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 girl (ksgf.com)

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

— Ninth-grade girl (ksgf.com)

“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 (ksgf.com)

“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 (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Colin Gray out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and difficult questions around parental responsibility and liability when it comes to gun violence involving minors, especially in cases where there were prior warning signs that were allegedly hidden from the parents.