Closing Arguments Begin in Trial of Father of Accused Apalachee High Shooter

Jury will weigh father's actions in addressing son's mental state and purchasing weapon used in attack

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Closing arguments are set to begin Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter. Gray faces 29 felony charges tied to the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School that left four people dead. He is on trial for giving his son, the accused shooter, the firearm used in the attack. After closing statements and final jury instructions, deliberations will begin, with any verdict required to be unanimous.

Why it matters

This case will set a precedent for how courts handle cases where parents are accused of enabling or contributing to mass shootings carried out by their children. It raises questions about a parent's responsibility to monitor their child's mental health and access to firearms.

The details

The defense may argue that Colin Gray was understandably unaware of the impending tragedy, while prosecutors will likely emphasize that the shooter had a picture of the Florida school shooter on his bedroom wall, indicating a homicidal mindset. Jurors will consider whether Gray did enough to address his son's declining mental state and whether he should have purchased the weapon.

  • Closing arguments are set to begin on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • After closing statements and final jury instructions, deliberations will begin.

The players

Colin Gray

The father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter, who faces 29 felony charges tied to the 2024 shooting that left four people dead.

Colt Gray

The accused shooter in the Apalachee High School attack, who has not yet gone to trial.

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What they’re saying

“The defense may argue Colin was understandably lulled into thinking there were no hints of the terrible tragedy which was coming. Prosecutors, on the other hand, will likely emphasize that the shooter has a picture of the Florida school shooter on his bedroom wall, indicating his homicidal mindset.”

— Ron Carlson, WSB Senior Legal Analyst (WSB Radio)

“The issue will turn on the jury's assessment of whether this father did enough to address his son's declining mental state, and also rather he should've purchased an automatic weapon for his son.”

— Ron Carlson, WSB Senior Legal Analyst (WSB Radio)

“On the one hand, the jury may empathize with the plight of a harassed dad carrying on a job while taking in Cole Gray's other siblings, all the while dealing with Cole's problems. On the other hand, the jury may find Colin Gray's focus was not sufficient supervision of a mis-conducting son in the run-up to the murders.”

— Ron Carlson, WSB Senior Legal Analyst (WSB Radio)

What’s next

The accused gunman, Colt Gray, has not yet gone to trial. His next hearing is scheduled in a couple of weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and moral questions surrounding a parent's responsibility when their child is accused of a mass shooting. The outcome will set a precedent for how courts handle similar cases and the extent to which parents can be held accountable for their children's actions.