Georgia judge sentences father of Apalachee High School shooter
Colin Gray was sentenced in Barrow County for his role in the September 4, 2024, Apalachee High School shooting that killed four people and injured nine others.
A Barrow County judge sentenced Colin Gray on Thursday for his involvement in the September 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School that left four dead and nine injured. Gray, the father of the student shooter Colt Gray, was convicted of 27 offenses, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of child cruelty for the deaths of two children, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of reckless conduct for the deaths of two teachers, and 23 counts of child cruelty related to surviving victims. Prosecutors argued that Gray purchased the rifle used in the attack and failed to secure it, despite knowing his son could be dangerous. The defense requested a 20-year sentence with ten years served in prison, while prosecutors sought an 80-year term. > "We believe all the counts should merge into Count 1 (second-degree murder) based on the fact that Colin failed to do one thing," his attorney said during the hearing. Families of the victims were present in the courtroom, some preparing impact statements. This marks the first conviction of a parent in Georgia linked to a school shooting by their child. Colt Gray was sentenced to life without parole after pleading guilty to 55 counts.