Colt Gray school shooting: Father sentenced for providing weapon

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SUMMARY

Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison on July 30, 2026, for providing the assault rifle used by his son in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting. As of July 30, 2026: Gray was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, with the judge citing his failure to act on clear warning signs. His son, Colt Gray, 16, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on July 29, 2026, after pleading guilty to 55 charges, including malice murder, for the shooting that killed two teachers and two students.

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July 2026 5 developments

  1. Colin Gray sentenced to 15 years for providing weapon used in Apalachee High School shooting

    Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison on July 30, 2026, for providing the assault rifle used by his son in the Apalachee High School shooting. Gray was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, with the judge noting his failure to act on clear warning signs. This case is significant as it holds a parent criminally responsible for their child's mass shooting.

  2. Colt Gray Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Apalachee High School Shooting

    Colt Gray, 16, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2024 Apalachee High School mass shooting. He pleaded guilty to 55 charges, including malice murder, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children. The shooting resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students, with several others injured.

  3. Colin Gray's sentencing for providing school shooter's weapon set for July 30

    Colin Gray, father of the Apalachee High School shooter, is scheduled for sentencing on July 30, 2026, after being convicted of providing the weapon used in the attack. Victims' families have urged against parole, calling it 'continued torture,' while defense attorneys argue for the possibility of parole.

  4. Colt Gray pleads guilty to 55 charges in Apalachee High School shooting

    Colt Gray pleaded guilty to all 55 charges, including murder, stemming from the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting. His plea was non-negotiated, leaving the sentencing decision to the judge. Colt Gray's sentencing hearing is expected to follow his plea hearing.

  5. Colt Gray faces plea and sentencing hearing July 24 for school shooting

    Colt Gray, accused in the September 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, is scheduled for a non-negotiated plea and sentencing hearing on July 24, 2026. This hearing could resolve the case against the 16-year-old, who faces 55 counts including felony murder. His father, Colin Gray, convicted of providing the weapon, has sentencing scheduled for July 28-29, 2026.

June 2026 1 developments

  1. Judge bars media from victim impact statements at Colin Gray's sentencing to protect son's fair trial

    A judge has ruled that media will not be permitted to record or broadcast victim impact statements during Colin Gray's sentencing hearing, scheduled for July 28-29, 2026. This decision aims to protect the fair trial rights of his son, Colt Gray, whose trial is expected in mid-October 2026. Colt Gray faces a plea deadline in the last week of July 2026.

May 2026 1 developments

  1. Colt Gray's trial venue changed to Columbia County; plea deadline set

    A judge granted a change of venue for Colt Gray's trial to Columbia County and set a plea deadline for mid-October or November 2026. Colt Gray is accused in the September 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, and his father, Colin Gray, was convicted of murder in April 2026.

April 2026 2 developments

  1. Colin Gray to be sentenced in July after March conviction on 27 charges including murder

    Colin Gray is scheduled for sentencing on July 28 and 29, following his March conviction on 27 charges, including murder and child cruelty. Gray was found guilty of criminally enabling the mass shooting carried out by his son in September 2024.

  2. Colin Gray Convicted on 27 Counts for Providing Weapon in Apalachee High School Shooting

    Colin Gray has been convicted on all 27 counts, including murder and child cruelty, for providing the weapon used in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting. The jury's verdict, reached in under two hours, establishes a legal precedent in Georgia for parental accountability in school shootings. Gray faces a potential sentence of up to 180 years, with sentencing to be scheduled.

March 2026 3 developments

  1. Colin Gray convicted of murder and manslaughter in son's school shooting case

    Colin Gray, the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter, has been convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The jury found Gray guilty on all charges related to providing his son with a weapon despite alleged warning signs. The verdict was reached on March 3, 2026, after closing arguments concluded.

  2. Colin Gray trial concludes, jury to deliberate on 27 counts including second-degree murder

    Closing arguments have concluded in the trial of Colin Gray, who is accused of providing the weapon used in the Apalachee High School shooting. The jury is now set to begin deliberations. Prosecutors argued that Gray was criminally negligent in giving his son access to firearms despite warning signs, while the defense stated the rifle was a Christmas gift intended for bonding over hunting. Gray faces 27 counts, including second-degree murder, for the shooting that killed two students and two teachers.

  3. Colin Gray trial: Closing arguments scheduled for father accused of enabling son's deadly school shooting

    Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday afternoon in the trial of Colin Gray, who is accused of enabling his son's deadly school shooting by providing the weapon. Gray faces 29 felonies, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

February 2026 19 developments

  1. Father of Apalachee High School shooter testifies he gifted son rifle for hunting

    Colin Gray, the father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter, testified in his own defense, stating he gifted his son the rifle used in the attack as a Christmas present to bond over hunting. Prosecutors argue Gray is criminally responsible for providing his son access to the weapon despite warning signs. Gray faces 29 counts, including murder and manslaughter.

  2. Father Colin Gray Testifies He Gave Son Rifle Used in School Shooting

    Colin Gray, the father of accused school shooter Colt Gray, testified on February 27, 2026, stating he gave his son the rifle used in the shooting as a Christmas present, hoping to bond over hunting. Prosecutors argue Gray should be held accountable for gifting the weapon despite warning signs of his son's instability. Colt Gray, 14 at the time of the September 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School, faces 55 counts, including murder.

  3. Colin Gray to testify in defense at trial for allegedly providing weapon in school shooting

    Colin Gray is scheduled to testify in his own defense in the trial for allegedly providing the weapon used in the Apalachee High School shooting. Prosecutors presented digital evidence, including purchase history of accessories and a knife found at the school, arguing Gray repeatedly overlooked warning signs. In an interrogation video, Gray admitted his son was sometimes allowed to keep the gun in his room.

  4. Prosecutors present evidence Colin Gray bought weapons for son despite 'school shooter shrine'

    During the Colin Gray trial, prosecutors presented digital forensic evidence revealing that Colin Gray overlooked warning signs and purchased weapons for his son, Colt Gray, prior to the Apalachee High School shooting. Digital forensics investigator Ashley Gilleland testified that Gray purchased firearms and accessories for his son despite multiple red flags, including a "school shooter shrine" in Colt's bedroom. The new evidence was presented on the ninth day of the trial.

  5. Prosecution rests case in Colin Gray trial; Gray expected to testify

    On the ninth day of Colin Gray's trial, the prosecution rested its case late Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Colin Gray is expected to testify in his own defense, with reports indicating he plans to take the stand on Thursday, February 26, or Friday, February 27, 2026. Digital forensics experts presented evidence alleging Gray repeatedly overlooked warning signs and purchased firearms and accessories for his son despite multiple red flags.

  6. Prosecutors review Colin Gray's recorded interviews, focus on firearm storage

    On the eighth day of Colin Gray's trial, jurors reviewed recorded interviews between Gray and investigators, with prosecutors focusing on firearm storage and alleged contradictions. Prosecutors indicated they expect to call their final two witnesses on Thursday.

  7. Colin Gray's daughter testifies about unsecured firearms in their home

    On the seventh day of Colin Gray's trial, his 14-year-old daughter, Jenny, testified that there were at least three firearms in their home that were not locked up, including an assault rifle gifted by her father to her older brother, Colt Gray. She stated Colt kept the AR-15 in his bedroom and expressed concern about him having the gun.

  8. Prosecutors allege Colin Gray bought AR-15 for son used in school shooting

    During the Colin Gray trial, prosecutors allege he purchased an AR-15 for his son, who used it in a school shooting. The boy's mother testified that she urged Colin Gray to secure the firearms and that he was mentally and emotionally abusive towards their son. Jurors have heard recorded interviews where Gray discussed his son's deteriorating mental health and aggression.

  9. Colin Gray's daughter testifies he pressured her to lie; Gray discussed son's mental health before shooting

    Colin Gray's 14-year-old daughter testified that her father pressured her to lie to investigators, and jurors heard recorded interviews where an emotional Gray discussed his son Colt's deteriorating mental health and aggression before the Apalachee High School shooting.

  10. Judge denies Colin Gray attorneys' mistrial request after mother testifies to abuse

    During the sixth day of Colin Gray's trial, the teen's mother, Marcee Gray, testified that Colin Gray was mentally and emotionally abusive towards their son. Colin Gray's attorneys moved for a mistrial based on this testimony, but the judge denied the request.

  11. Prosecutors present evidence of warning signs and prior FBI tip in Colin Gray trial

    During the fourth day of Colin Gray's trial, prosecutors presented evidence detailing years of warning signs, school discipline issues, child welfare investigations, and a prior FBI tip about an online threat. The first week of the trial concluded with testimony from teachers, students, law enforcement, and healthcare workers about the shooting and its impact, with prosecutors detailing the shooter's personal life and missed school days.

  12. Prosecutors present evidence of Colin Gray's alleged dismissal of therapy and son's online threats

    During the fourth day of testimony in Colin Gray's trial, prosecutors presented evidence of numerous warning signs, including the son's online threats and alleged dismissal of therapy by Gray. Digital forensics investigators also presented evidence from phones belonging to Gray and his son. On February 17, 2026, students testified about the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Prosecutors argued that Gray should be held responsible for providing the weapon despite warnings, with District Attorney Brad Smith stating, "This case is about this defendant and his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that that child was going to harm others."

  13. Colin Gray faces 29 charges, including murder, for allegedly buying AR-15 for son under investigation

    Colin Gray faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children, for allegedly purchasing an AR-15 for his son five months after law enforcement began investigating the son for online threats. The trial began on February 16, 2026, with prosecutors presenting evidence and questioning witnesses.

  14. Colin Gray murder trial begins; prosecutors allege he provided son with assault rifle

    The murder trial for Colin Gray, father of the Apalachee High School shooter, has commenced with opening statements. A jury of 15, including alternates, has been selected. Prosecutors allege Gray provided his son with the assault-style rifle used in the 2024 attack.

  15. Colin Gray's Negligence Trial Begins Over Rifle Provision Leading to Deaths

    The trial of Colin Gray was set to begin, with prosecutors arguing his provision of the rifle to his son was negligent and led to the deaths. This case is seen as potentially setting a new legal precedent in Georgia.

  16. Jury selection begins for Colin Gray's trial on 29 charges, including murder

    Jury selection began for Colin Gray's trial, facing 29 charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The case is notable as it could set a precedent for parental liability in school shootings in Georgia.

  17. Jury selection concludes for Colin Gray's trial; opening statements set for February 16, 2026

    Jury selection concluded for Colin Gray's trial, with opening statements expected on February 16, 2026. Prosecutors presented evidence that Colin Gray gave his son the assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift and was aware of his son's deteriorating mental health and obsession with school shooters.

September 2024 1 developments

  1. Colt Gray, 14, opened fire at Apalachee High School, killing four and wounding nine

    Colt Gray, then 14, opened fire at Apalachee High School, killing two teachers and two students, and wounding nine others. Colin Gray was arrested the following day, charged with multiple counts including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

December 2023 1 developments

May 2023 1 developments

  1. FBI investigates 13-year-old Colt Gray for online school shooting threats

    The FBI received anonymous tips about online threats of a school shooting made by Colt Gray, who was 13 at the time. An interview with Colt and his father, Colin Gray, revealed guns were present in the home, but Colin stated his son did not have access to them. Colt denied making the threats. Authorities determined there was insufficient evidence for arrest.