Father of Georgia School Shooter Faces Multiple Murder Charges

The father of a 14-year-old boy accused of killing four people at a high school in Georgia has been arrested and charged with murder.

The incident claimed the lives of two teachers and two students. Colin Gray, 54, now faces multiple serious charges including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. These charges stem from his alleged role in enabling his son’s access to the weapon used in the attack. The 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray, is set to be charged as an adult with four counts of murder, a decision permitted under Georgia state law for minors as young as 13 in cases involving serious crimes. This approach could result in more severe sentencing if a conviction is secured.

Investigators are particularly interested in whether Colin Gray purchased the AR-style weapon used in the shooting as a gift for his son in December 2023. This detail could prove crucial in the case against him, as it directly relates to how the young suspect obtained the firearm. The case has taken on additional complexity in light of previous warnings. In May 2023, the FBI alerted local police to online threats of a school shooting linked to an email address associated with Colt Gray. These threats, made on the gaming platform Discord, included gun imagery and references to a notorious school shooting.

When interviewed by authorities at the time, both father and son downplayed concerns, with Colin Gray assuring police that his son did not have unsupervised access to firearms in their home. The family’s background has come under scrutiny as well. Reports indicate that Colt Gray was experiencing difficulties at school, including bullying, and was struggling with his parents’ ongoing divorce. The teen’s involvement in hunting activities with his father has also raised questions about the environment in which he was raised and the influences shaping his behaviour. According to the sheriff’s report, all nine individuals who sustained injuries are expected to make a full recovery with some victims already having been discharged from medical care.

Two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years of age, lost their lives in the attack. Additionally, two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, were also fatally wounded. According to eyewitness accounts, the suspect reportedly exited an algebra class, only to attempt re-entry later. Some students approached the locked door to open it but retreated upon apparently noticing the weapon. Subsequently, witnesses reported hearing a series of 10 to 15 gunshots. The situation was quickly addressed by two school police officers who confronted the suspect. Upon their intervention, the assailant immediately surrendered without further incident.

It is worth noting that this is not the first instance where parents of a school shooting suspect have faced criminal charges. In a recent and notable case, the parents of a Michigan teenager who took the lives of four students were sentenced for their involvement in the attack.