Prosecutors Say Father Responsible for 2024 Georgia School Shooting

Closing arguments allege father's negligence enabled deadly attack by his son.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In closing arguments, prosecutors in the trial of Colin Gray said he is responsible, along with his son Colt Gray, for the 2024 mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia that left four dead and nine wounded. Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray allowed his son access to the firearm and ammunition used in the attack despite warnings about his son's mental health and violent tendencies.

Why it matters

This case is part of a broader push to hold more people accountable for school shootings, including the shooter's parents and law enforcement. It bears similarities to the convictions of the Crumbleys, whose son carried out a deadly attack in Michigan in 2021. The outcome could set a precedent for parental liability in such tragedies.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Colin Gray's 'conscious disregard for a substantial and unjustifiable risk' and 'criminal negligence' in providing his 14-year-old son access to the AR-15-style rifle and ammunition make him culpable for the attack, along with the shooter himself. The defense argued Colin Gray was an attentive parent who did not have sufficient warning about his son's violent intentions.

  • The shooting occurred on September 4, 2024 at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
  • The trial began in March 2026, with closing arguments heard on Monday, March 2, 2026.
  • The jury is expected to begin deliberations late on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Colin Gray

The father of the shooter, Colt Gray, who is on trial for murder and manslaughter charges related to the 2024 school shooting.

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old shooter who killed two teachers and two students and wounded nine others at Apalachee High School in 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to 55 felony counts.

Patricia Brooks

The Barrow County prosecutor arguing that Colin Gray is responsible for the shooting along with his son.

Jimmy Berry

The defense attorney for Colin Gray, arguing that he was an attentive parent who did not have sufficient warning about his son's violent intentions.

Marcee Gray

The estranged wife of Colin Gray and mother of Colt Gray, who testified about her son's mental health struggles.

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What they’re saying

“That man was the one person who could have prevented this mass shooting. He was the one man who ensured that Colt Gray had the tools he needed to commit mass murder.”

— Patricia Brooks, Prosecutor (CNN)

“He never in a million years thought that this son that he loved was going to turn out to be a monster that killed these people.”

— Jimmy Berry, Defense Attorney (CNN)

“Do not give the defendant one more day to peddle his made-up excuses for why he did nothing to stop this tragedy. Do not give the defendant one more minute by listening to his lies about how he did everything he could. Do not give him one more second of not being held responsible for what happened on September 4th.”

— Patricia Brooks, Prosecutor (CNN)

What’s next

The jury is expected to begin deliberations late on Monday, March 2, 2026 to determine if Colin Gray is guilty of the charges against him.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing push to hold parents accountable when their children commit mass shootings, with prosecutors arguing that Colin Gray's negligence enabled the deadly attack at Apalachee High School. The outcome could set a precedent for parental liability in school shooting cases going forward.