Mother Testifies She Urged Father to Lock Up Guns Before Apalachee High Shooting

Colt Gray's parents lived a chaotic life, with financial issues and frequent moves, according to testimony.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 11:03pm

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The mother of accused school shooter Colt Gray testified that she urged the boy's father, Colin Gray, to lock up the guns in their home before the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Marcee Gray said the family lived a chaotic life with fighting, arguing, and financial troubles. She told Colin Gray to lock the guns in his truck so they were not accessible to Colt, but he initially said he would do so and did not follow through. Prosecutors are trying to hold Colin Gray criminally responsible for the shooting, which left four people dead, arguing he should be accountable for giving his son the weapon used in the attack.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate around parental responsibility in mass shootings, as prosecutors attempt to hold parents liable when their children are accused in fatal attacks. It also sheds light on the complex family dynamics and mental health issues that can contribute to such tragedies.

The details

Marcee Gray testified that Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, had an interest in the 2018 Parkland, Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz. She said Colt made a comment about using a tactical vest his father had given him to complete a 'school shooter outfit,' though he claimed he was joking. Prosecutors say Colin Gray gave his son the semiautomatic rifle used in the attack as a Christmas gift and continued to buy accessories like ammunition, despite being aware of his son's deteriorating mental health.

  • The shooting occurred on September 4, 2024.
  • Colt Gray's trial is currently underway.

The players

Marcee Gray

The mother of accused school shooter Colt Gray, who testified that she urged the boy's father to lock up the guns in their home before the shooting.

Colin Gray

The father of accused school shooter Colt Gray, who is on trial and faces charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for allegedly giving his son the weapon used in the attack.

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old accused of carefully planning and carrying out the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which left four people dead and several others wounded.

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What they’re saying

“They need to be locked somewhere. Initially he said he would.”

— Marcee Gray, Mother of Colt Gray (wbal.com)

“He was talking about a vest, his dad buying him a vest, and he said it in what I thought was a joking manner because he was laughing. He was talking about getting the vest and he said 'yeah, I've got to finish my school shooter outfit,' or something like that or 'dad's going to finish my finish my school shooter outfit.'”

— Marcee Gray, Mother of Colt Gray (wbal.com)

What’s next

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

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around parental responsibility in mass shootings, as prosecutors attempt to hold parents liable when their children are accused in fatal attacks. It also sheds light on the complex family dynamics and mental health issues that can contribute to such tragedies.