Georgia Man Convicted in Son's School Shooting

Jury finds Colin Gray guilty of murder and manslaughter for giving troubled teen access to assault rifle

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In a closely watched case, a jury in Georgia has convicted 55-year-old Colin Gray of murder and manslaughter for providing his troubled 14-year-old son Colt with an assault-style rifle, which the teen later used to carry out a deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in 2024. The verdict comes before Colt Gray himself has gone to trial, and is seen as a significant step in the growing effort to hold parents accountable for their role in enabling such tragedies.

Why it matters

The conviction of Colin Gray is the latest example of prosecutors casting a wider net to find accountability for school shootings, as other avenues like gun law reform and lawsuits against manufacturers have largely fallen short. Experts say prosecuting parents is emerging as a key strategy, though it remains controversial, with concerns that it may unfairly target those with the fewest resources.

The details

Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray had ignored numerous warning signs about his son's deteriorating mental health and violent tendencies, including the teen's online searches about killing his father and a 'shrine' to the Parkland shooter in his bedroom. Despite this, Gray provided Colt with an assault rifle months before the attack. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Gray guilty of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, which could result in a life sentence.

  • In 2024, Colt Gray, then 14 years old, opened fire at Apalachee High School.
  • In 2026, a jury convicted Colin Gray, Colt's father, of murder and manslaughter charges related to the shooting.

The players

Colin Gray

A 55-year-old Georgia man who was convicted of murder and manslaughter for providing his troubled 14-year-old son with an assault rifle that was later used in a deadly school shooting.

Colt Gray

The 14-year-old son of Colin Gray who carried out a deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in 2024 using a rifle provided by his father.

Audrey Lanni

A paramedic in Winder, Georgia who responded to the Apalachee High School shooting and closely followed the trial of Colt Gray's father.

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What they’re saying

“Somebody has to be held responsible for allowing these children to become the way they are. It was so apparent that he could have done something, and he didn't.”

— Audrey Lanni, Paramedic (San Francisco Chronicle)

“What we need is a middle-ground solution that acknowledges that some people can contribute to other people's wrongdoing in ways that might be blameworthy, but that aren't the same as having committed the crime themselves.”

— Ben McJunkin, Associate Professor of Law, Arizona State University (New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Colin Gray out on bail while he awaits sentencing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing efforts to hold parents accountable for their role in enabling school shootings, as other avenues for accountability have fallen short. However, it also raises concerns about the fairness and effectiveness of such an approach, with experts warning that it may unfairly target those with the fewest resources.