Trial Begins for Father in Apalachee Shooting Case

Opening statements began Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, whose 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, carried out a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4, 2024, killing two students and two teachers while wounding nine others. The case, unfolding in Barrow County Superior Court, centers on allegations that Gray provided his son with the firearm used in the attack despite multiple prior warnings about the teenager's threatening behavior.

Prosecutors, led by Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith, argue that Gray's actions amount to criminal negligence. They contend that Gray gifted his son an AR-style semiautomatic rifle as a Christmas present in December 2023 and purchased ammunition and accessories afterward, even though law enforcement had investigated the teen for online threats. In May 2023, authorities traced an anonymous tip from the FBI to a computer at the Gray home, where Colt allegedly posted threats of a school shooting, including photos of guns. Colt denied responsibility, claiming his account was hacked, and no charges were filed due to lack of probable cause. During the interview, Colin Gray acknowledged that his son had access to...