Students Testify in Trial of Georgia School Shooting Suspect's Father

Victims recount horror of 2024 attack at Apalachee High School

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In emotional testimony, students wounded in a 2024 mass shooting at a Georgia high school took the witness stand in the murder trial of the alleged gunman's father, Colin Gray. The students described the terror they experienced when Colt Gray, then 14, allegedly opened fire in their algebra class, killing four people. Prosecutors are seeking to hold the father criminally responsible for his son's actions, alleging he gave the teen an AR-15-style rifle despite warnings about his mental state.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around parental responsibility and accountability when it comes to gun violence involving minors. Prosecutors in various states have increasingly tried to hold parents criminally liable for their children's alleged deadly actions, arguing that they failed to properly secure firearms or address mental health issues.

The details

According to testimony, the students were in algebra teacher Cassandra Ryan's class when they heard a loud bang outside the door. They then saw Colt Gray, now 16, pointing a weapon and opening fire. Several students were shot, including Melany Delira-Castaneda, Nautica Walton, Taylor Jones, Natalie Griffith, Jaxxon Beaver, and Ronaldo Vega. The shooting left four people dead: math teacher and football coach Richard Aspinwall, math teacher Cristina Irimie, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.

  • The shooting occurred on September 4, 2024 at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
  • The trial of Colin Gray, the father of the alleged shooter, began on February 18, 2026.

The players

Colin Gray

The 55-year-old father of the alleged shooter, Colt Gray, who is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.

Colt Gray

The 16-year-old son of Colin Gray, who has been charged as an adult on multiple counts of felony murder and aggravated assault for the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

Cassandra Ryan

The algebra teacher whose classroom was the site of the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

Richard Aspinwall

The 39-year-old math teacher and football coach who was killed in the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

Cristina Irimie

The 53-year-old math teacher who was killed in the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like just seeing a lot of what I saw that day, it just sticks with me, and not being able to trust certain people.”

— Melany Delira-Castaneda, Student (mycentraloregon.com)

“I remember my teacher telling me to stay awake because I was feeling really tired. I remember Natalie [another student] lying on the floor, saying she was hit and crying with a big puddle of blood.”

— Nautica Walton, Student (mycentraloregon.com)

“I said a lot of curse words. I was very angry at the time because I thought they were going to have to amputate my hand. I remember yelling at him that we were kids, because we were kids.”

— Natalie Griffith, Student (mycentraloregon.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 ongoing debate around parental responsibility and accountability when it comes to gun violence involving minors. It raises questions about the role parents should play in monitoring their children's mental health and access to firearms, and whether they can be held criminally liable for their children's actions.