Additional Coverage:
- Georgia school shooting suspect’s dad asks for protection after ‘incalculable number of threats’ in jail (nbcnews.com)
### Father of Accused High School Shooter Seeks Protection in Jail Due to Numerous Threats
An intense scene unfolded on Wednesday at the Barrow County courthouse in Winder, Georgia, as Colin Gray, whose teenage son is alleged to have killed four people at Apalachee High School, pleaded for his safety. Fearing for his life, Gray asked a judge to ensure his protection from other inmates, citing an overwhelming number of threats made against him while in custody.
Colin Gray remains detained without bail following his arrest on suspicion of second-degree murder and manslaughter. Authorities allege he allowed his son, Colt Gray, access to the weapon used in last week’s tragic shooting.
In a motion submitted on Wednesday, Gray’s legal team, composed of attorneys Jimmy Berry and Brian Hobbs, highlighted the urgent need for their client to be kept apart from other inmates. They pointed out that extensive media coverage and rampant social media discussions have stoked significant hostility, leading to numerous threats from inmates calling for violence, and even death, against Gray.
The recent shooting has reverberated throughout the community of Winder and the broader Barrow County area, impacting nearly everyone. Gray’s attorneys stressed that the collective anger and desire for retribution within the community likely extend to the individuals incarcerated alongside Gray at the Barrow County Detention Center.
“Given the extensive emotional toll on the Barrow County community,” the motion stated, “it would be reckless to assume no inmates currently housed, or those who will be housed in the near future, harbor intentions to harm the Defendant.”
Efforts to reach a representative from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office for comment were unsuccessful on Thursday.