Father of Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Trial

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Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, the father of the teenager accused of killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Georgia in September 2024. Gray faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, for allegedly giving his son access to the gun and ammunition used in the shooting.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing trend of prosecutors charging parents when they believe the parents contributed to or failed to prevent violence committed by their children. It raises questions about parental responsibility, gun control, and mental health support for troubled youth.

The details

According to the indictment, Gray committed cruelty to children by giving his 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, access to a gun and ammunition 'after receiving sufficient warning that Colt Gray would harm and endanger the bodily safety of another.' Investigators say Colt Gray carefully planned the September 2024 shooting, including diagrams and potential body counts in a notebook. Colin Gray had given his son the gun as a gift the previous Christmas and later bought him a larger magazine.

• Jury selection is set to begin on Monday, February 10, 2026.
• The shooting at Apalachee High School occurred on September 4, 2024.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge in the case has set a status hearing in the case for mid-March 2026 to discuss the progress of the trial.