The father of a teenager accused in a deadly mass shooting at Apalachee High School entered a not-guilty plea on Thursday, signaling the continuation of a case that has gripped the northeast Georgia community.
Colin Gray faces multiple charges tied to the tragic Sept. four attack carried out by his 14-year-old son, Colt Gray.
Why It Matters: This case isn’t just about a horrific school shooting—it also raises serious questions about the responsibility of parents in preventing violence. Prosecutors are pushing boundaries by holding Colin Gray criminally accountable for his son’s actions, potentially setting a precedent in Georgia.
The Case at a Glance:
• Colin Gray’s charges: He faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children.
• Colt Gray’s charges: The teenager, charged as an adult, faces 55 counts, including four murder charges and multiple aggravated assault charges.
Authorities say the teenager carefully planned the attack, smuggling an assault-style weapon onto school grounds and opening fire on students and teachers.
The Big Picture: The indictment against Colin Gray marks the first time in Georgia that a parent has been charged in connection with a school shooting. This echoes national cases, including Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were convicted of their role in enabling their son’s school shooting.
The broader implications are clear: law enforcement and prosecutors are signaling a shift in accountability, extending legal responsibility to parents.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
