Accused Apalachee School Shooter's Dad Enters Plea

WINDER, GA — Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old accused Apalachee High School shooter, has pleaded not guilty in connection with the murder case, according to multiple sources, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and NBC News.

Colin Gray, 54, on Thursday pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment.

Colt Gray is accused of shooting and killing two teachers and two students on Sept. 4 at the Barrow County high school. State authorities previously said eight students and a teacher were injured.

The teenage student, who was indicted in late October on 55 counts, was charged on suspicion of felony murder and malice murder in connection with the shooting that claimed the lives of students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53.

Barrow County Jail records show the elder Gray was charged on suspicion of multiple counts of murder, second-degree cruelty to children and involuntary manslaughter. He is being held without bond in the Barrow County Detention Center.

If convicted, Colin Gray faces up to 180 years in prison, the Washington Post reported.

He reportedly visited three separate shooting ranges with Colt Gray between Jan. 1 and Sept. 4, the AJC reported.

Colin Gray was aware "of his son’s deteriorating mental state and his fascination with campus shootings," according to a past CNN report, citing witness testimony at a preliminary hearing.

In the past, news outlets reported Colin Gray was identified as the person who gave his son the assault-style rifle that was allegedly used in the tragic shooting at Apalachee.

Testimony revealed he also bought his son "a tactical vest and ammunition" though he knew the teenager allegedly battled anger and anxiety, CNN reported.

Related:

• Accused Apalachee Gunman Pleads Not Guilty In Deadly Shooting: Reports
• Accused Mass Shooting Gunman, Dad Indicted On Murder Charges: Reports
• Accused Gunman Planned GA School Shooting In Notebook: Reports
• Apalachee School Shooting Suspect Hid Rifle In Backpack: GBI
• GA School Shooting Suspect Received Weapon As Gift From Dad: Reports
• Threats Of Violence Target GA Schools After Fatal Mass Shooting
• GA School Shooting: Father Of Accused Gunman Also Charged With Murder
• Accused GA School Shooter Denied Making Threats In 2023

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation previously said the young Gray hid the rifle in his backpack and carried it onto a school bus the morning of the shooting.

According to investigator testimony, the rifle was wrapped in a poster board with the barrel poking out of the backpack, the Associated Press reported.

The GBI previously said Colt Gray asked to go to the front office, but he instead went to the restroom and hid from teachers.

He later retrieved the rifle and started shooting, the GBI said.

Authorities testified a notebook belonging to Colt Gray contained depictions of "stick figures with wounds," CNN reported. According to the news outlet, “Shoot the teacher first” was written next to the sketches.

A motive in the fatal shooting has not been revealed.