In a tragic turn of events, Georgia officials have arrested Colin Gray, the father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School. The attack, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of four people and left nine others injured. Colt Gray reportedly used an AR-15-style rifle in the assault, a firearm purchased by his father as a Christmas gift just seven months prior. This rifle was given to Colt following an FBI tip in May 2023 about potential threats he made online.
Past Threats And Investigations
Colt Gray had been previously investigated for making threats about a school shooting. In May 2023, the FBI received a tip that Colt, then 13, had made threats on Discord, a popular social media platform among gamers. Despite this, authorities found insufficient evidence to take action at the time. Sheriff Janis Mangum explained that although the case was thoroughly investigated, the evidence was not strong enough to justify confiscating their weapons. Colin Gray had assured authorities that his son did not have unsupervised access to the family’s guns, a claim that has now tragically proven inadequate.
Details Of The Shooting Incident
The shooting began when Colt attempted to re-enter his Algebra class but was stopped by a student who saw the gun. Colt then moved to a nearby classroom and opened fire, discharging 10 to 15 rounds. The first reports of an active shooter came in around 10:20 a.m., and Colt was taken into custody after a brief confrontation with school resource officers. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with students crying and screaming as gunshots were heard outside classrooms.
Victims And Community Response
The shooting claimed the lives of two 14-year-old students, Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, as well as two beloved teachers, math teacher Christina Irimie and assistant football coach Richard Aspinwall. Christian’s family expressed their heartbreak and disbelief, while Apalachee Football paid tribute to Coach Aspinwall’s dedication and impact. The tragedy has deeply affected the community, with many grappling with the loss and questioning how such a violent event could occur.
Future Investigations And School Safety
Colt Gray is currently being held without bond and charged as an adult with felony murder. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday. Authorities are now investigating how Colt gained access to the weapon and whether earlier warning signs could have prevented the attack. In response to the shooting, Apalachee High School has implemented new safety protocols, including the Centegix alert system, which officials believe helped mitigate the severity of the incident. Moreover, the Apalachee High School shooting marks the 30th school shooting in the U.S. this year, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun access and school safety.