ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — On Sept. 4, 2024, four people were killed and nine others wounded in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in metro Atlanta.
Colt Gray has been charged in the shooting, and his father, Colin Gray, is also facing felony charges. Jury selection in Colin Gray’s trial is set to begin Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
Here’s what you need to know:
The shooting
At around 10 a.m., on Sept. 4, 2024, someone opened fire inside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, a school with 1,900 students in metro Atlanta.
The victims
Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, and 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, were killed during the shooting. Nine other people were injured.
Colt Gray’s arrest and charges
A school resource officer quickly responded, and Colt Gray surrendered upon law enforcement arrival at 10:26 a.m. He is charged with:
- four counts of felony murder.
- four counts of malice murder.
- four counts of aggravated battery.
- 25 counts of aggravated assault.
- 18 counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.
Colt Gray is facing life in prison with or without the possibility of parole for each felony murder count. He has been charged as an adult and has pleaded not guilty.
Colin Gray’s arrest and charges
Colt Gray’s father, Colin Gray, was arrested on Sept. 5, 2024, the day after the shooting. He is charged with 29 felony counts, including:
- two counts of second-degree murder.
- two counts of involuntary manslaughter.
- several counts of second-degree cruelty to children.
- reckless conduct.
Colin Gray is facing up to 180 years in prison if convicted on all counts. He has pleaded not guilty.
Why is Colin Gray facing charges?
Colin Gray is accused of providing Colt Gray with the AR-15-style rifle allegedly used in the shooting. Prosecutors allege Colin Gray:
- Purchased the AR-15 rifle as a Christmas gift to his son in December 2023.
- Was aware of his son’s concerning behavior and fascination with school shootings.
- Ignored warning signs about his son’s mental state.
- Failed to supervise his son’s access to the firearm.
- Was allegedly interviewed by law enforcement in May 2023, along with Colt Gray, about online threats “to commit a school shooting.” Colt Gray allegedly denied making the threats, and Colin Gray allegedly claimed his son didn’t have unsupervised gun access.
Has the parent of school shooting suspect ever faced charges?
Yes. Colin Gray’s trial will be the second ever parental prosecution case in the U.S. related to a mass school shooting. The first was Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley, who were both convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2024 and sentenced to 10-15 years in prison.
Where is Colin Gray’s trial being held?
In Barrow County, where the shooting happened. However, jury selection is being held in Hall County, and will use Hall County jurors. Hall County is about 27 miles from Barrow. The judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed Colin Gray could not receive a fair trial from a jury of Barrow County residents because of the case’s high profile.
Who is the judge?
Nicholas Primm, the chief judge of the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, is presiding over the case.
How long will Colin Gray’s trial last?
Primm has said he expects the trial to last about three weeks.
What is the status of Colt Gray’s trial?
In December 2025, Colt Gray’s new attorneys said their client was undergoing medical evaluations. In May 2025, his former attorneys indicated a plea deal may have been in the works.
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