Photos: Apalachee High shooting suspect, father make first court appearances

Georgia News

Photos: Apalachee High shooting suspect, father make first court appearances

Colt Gray, 14, is accused of killing 4 people, and injuring 9 others at the Winder school on Sept. 4. His father, Colin, also faces charges in connection with his son's actions.

Colt Gray leaves the courtroom during his first appearance before Barrow County Superior Court Judge Currie Mingledorff at Barrow County Courthouse Superior Court, Friday, September 6, 2024, in Winder. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

The 14-year-old is accused of fatally shooting two teachers and two students this week at Apalachee High School and his father made their first appearances in court Friday.

Shackled at the hands and waist, the bleached-blond teen was the first to appear before Chief Judge Mingledorff at 8:30 a.m. in a Barrow County courtroom filled with victims’ families, deputies, news reporters and other members of the community. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Colin Gray was arrested Thursday on charges including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, officials said. GBI Director Chris Hosey said the father’s charges are “directly connected with the actions of his son,” who is also accused of injuring nine others when authorities said he opened fire at the Barrow County school with an AR-style rifle. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

In Colt Gray’s case, Mingledorff said, “You are charged with four counts of felony murder, as outlined in state warrants that have been issued against you. For each count, the maximum penalty is you can be punishable ... by imprisonment for life without parole or by imprisonment for life with the possibility of parole.” (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

The judge initially had mentioned death as a possible punishment, but brought the teen back out moments later to correct the record. Though Colt Gray is being tried as an adult, Mingledorff told him he is not eligible for the death penalty given his age. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

When asked, attorneys for father and son said they were not seeking bail at this time. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

According to Georgia law, parents or caretakers can be charged with second-degree cruelty to children if investigators can prove criminal negligence. That is, whether an adult was aware or should have been aware of a gun being in the area and did nothing to keep it out of the reach of children. Second-degree murder is added if the negligence results in a death. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Colt Gray leaves the courtroom. Those killed were students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and assistant football coach Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, 39, and math teacher Christina Irimie, 53. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Colin Gray faces a maximum punishment of up to 180 years in prison, Mingledorff said. Preliminary hearings in both cases are set for Dec. 4, but that is subject to change. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

1/10

Colt Gray leaves the courtroom during his first appearance before Barrow County Superior Court Judge Currie Mingledorff at Barrow County Courthouse Superior Court, Friday, September 6, 2024, in Winder. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

More Galleries

Savannah Christmas Train Villages

PHOTOS: Savannah Christmas model train garden began under the tree

aajc 121725 class 3a-a private

PHOTOS: Calvary Day and Hebron Christian battle for Class 3A-A title

Fani Willis testifies

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel

YOUNG THUG CONCERT

PHOTOS: Young Thug hometown show in Atlanta