The mother of Colt Gray, the Apalachee High School shooting suspect, warned a school counselor about her son’s behavior shortly before the deadly attack, according to text messages and phone records obtained by The Washington Post.
Despite her warning, the 14-year-old opened fire minutes later, killing four and injuring nine.
Why It Matters: The call and texts raise questions about how schools handle threats. Parents have been demanding answers since the shooting happened, with one parent asking pointed questions at a press conference Wednesday evening. The parent asked why a woman was searching for Gray just prior to the shooting and what information officials knew beforehand. At the time, law enforcement officers claimed the woman was misinformed.
A student at the school also said that someone from the school called another student out of class, but the student returned to the classroom and said they were looking for Colt.
Often these stories by students and parents are discounted by officials as rumors or lacking evidence, but in this case, it appears the words of the students attending the school were more accurate than some of the reports coming from school and law enforcement officials.
What’s Happening:
- The suspect’s mother called the school counselor, warning of an “extreme emergency” involving her son.
- Texts show the school was aware of his mental health struggles a week before the shooting.
Between the Lines: The mother’s call log shows she warned the school 30 minutes before the shooting, but confusion during the response may have delayed action. A school official mistakenly targeted another student with a similar name.
