Father of accused shooter receives guilty verdict on all counts after brief jury deliberations. The jury convicted Colin Gray of second-degree murder and all other charges on Tuesday. The panel reached its decision in less than two hours of deliberations following two weeks of testimony. Colin Gray faced nearly 30 counts in connection with the shooting at Apalachee High School. He had pleaded not guilty to every charge.
Shooting Occurred in September 2024
Colt Gray carried out the attack at Apalachee High School in Winder on September 4, 2024. The teenager killed two students and two teachers during the incident. He also injured nine other people. Colt Gray used an AR-style rifle that authorities linked to his father. The shooting lasted only 41 seconds before the suspect surrendered.
Victims Included Students and Teachers
The attack claimed the lives of students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Both boys were 14 years old. Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie also died in the shooting. Aspinwall was 39 years old while Irimie was 53.
Prosecutors Highlighted Warning Signs
Assistant District Attorney Patricia Brooks presented evidence of warning signs during closing arguments. Brooks told jurors that Colin Gray ignored signs of his son’s problems.
Brooks said, “After seeing sign after sign of his son’s deteriorating mental state, his violence, his school shooter obsession, the defendant had sufficient warning that his son was a bomb just waiting to go off. And instead of disarming him, he gave him the detonator.”
Furthermore, prosecutors noted that Colin Gray gave his son the gun as a gift despite previous concerns.
Defense Focused on Son’s Actions
Defense lawyer Jimmy Berry urged the jury to hold only the shooter responsible. Berry pointed to Colt Gray as the sole perpetrator. Berry said, “this is the person who went into the high school and shot and killed four people he didn’t even know and injured scores of others. This is the person who needs to be punished.” Additionally, the defense team argued that the father could not predict the attack.
Colin Gray Testified During Trial
Colin Gray took the witness stand in his own defense. He admitted that he could have done more to help his son. However, he stated that he never expected such violence. Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith explained the case focus in his opening statement.
Smith said, “This is not a case about holding parents accountable for what their children do. This case is about this defendant and his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that that child was going to harm others.”
Sentencing Scheduled for Later Date
The judge will sentence Colin Gray at a future hearing. Meanwhile, Colt Gray awaits his own trial as an adult on separate murder charges. The community continues to recover from the events of that day.
