Father of Georgia School Shooter Convicted of Second-Degree Murder and Involuntary Manslaughter

Colin Gray, the father of Colt Gray accused in the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on September 4, 2024, was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The jury deliberated for less than two hours after an 11-day trial before finding Gray guilty on all charges.

Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray provided his son with a rifle as a Christmas gift despite knowing Colt's mental health had deteriorated. They claimed he ignored multiple warning signs, including Colt maintaining a shrine to school shooters and displaying violent behavior at home and school. The defense maintained that only the son should be held responsible.

Colt Gray, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, is accused of killing two students—Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo—and two teachers—Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie. Another teacher and eight students were wounded in the attack. Colt faces 55 counts, including four counts of malice murder and felony murder, and has pleaded not guilty.

The case is part of a growing trend where parents are held criminally responsible for school shootings committed by their children. In Michigan, Jennifer and James Crumbley were sentenced to 10-15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter after their son killed four students in 2021.

Colin Gray's sentencing is scheduled for a later date, where he faces up to 30 years in prison. His attorneys are likely to appeal the verdict. The trial highlighted the broader issue of parental responsibility and gun control in preventing school shootings.