Mother Testifies She Urged Father to Lock Up Guns Before Georgia School Shooting

Marcee Gray says she warned Colin Gray to secure firearms before their son Colt carried out deadly attack at Apalachee High School.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 6:05pm

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In the trial of Colin Gray, the father of accused school shooter Colt Gray, Marcee Gray testified that she had urged her estranged husband to lock up the guns in their home before the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Prosecutors say Colin Gray should be held accountable for giving his mentally unstable son the weapon used in the attack as a Christmas gift, despite warning signs about the boy's mental health.

Why it matters

This case is part of a growing trend of prosecutors trying to hold parents responsible when their children are accused in fatal school shootings. It raises questions about the role and responsibility of gun owners, especially when there are clear warning signs about a child's mental state.

The details

Marcee Gray testified that her family lived a chaotic life, with frequent fighting, arguing, and financial issues. She said she specifically told Colin Gray to lock up the guns in the home, but he initially agreed to do so and then did not follow through. Prosecutors say Colin Gray gave his 14-year-old son Colt the gun used in the shooting as a Christmas gift, despite alleged threats and warning signs that the boy was mentally unstable. Colt Gray is accused of carefully planning the September 2024 attack that left two teachers and two students dead and several others wounded.

  • Colt Gray was 14 years old at the time of the shooting on September 4, 2024.
  • Marcee Gray testified on Monday, opening the second week of Colin Gray's trial.

The players

Marcee Gray

The mother of accused school shooter Colt Gray, who testified that she urged her estranged husband to lock up the guns in their home before the deadly attack.

Colin Gray

The father of accused school shooter Colt Gray, who is on trial and faces 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter, for allegedly enabling his son's attack.

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which left two teachers and two students dead and several others wounded.

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What they’re saying

“'They need to be locked somewhere,' she told a jury in Winder, Georgia. 'Initially he said he would.'”

— Marcee Gray (The Associated Press)

“'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 (The Associated Press)

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 issues around parental responsibility and gun ownership when there are clear warning signs about a child's mental health and potential for violence. It underscores the need for better systems to identify and address such threats before tragedies occur.