Father of Georgia school shooting suspect seeks separate jailing due to threats

Colin Gray, the father of accused Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, filed a motion with a Georgia judge on Wednesday, seeking to be kept separate from other inmates in jail due to the “incalculable number of threats” against him, including death threats. His attorneys argue that the overwhelming public discourse surrounding the shooting, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals at the Winder, Georgia, high school, has incited widespread anger and calls for retribution against him.

In the motion, Gray’s legal team described a “nonstop barrage” of information about the tragic events, asserting that many in the community are profoundly affected by the incident. The attorneys highlighted that it’s “reckless to assume there are NO inmates, either currently or in the near future” who might wish to harm Gray, given the emotional turmoil in Barrow County.

Colin Gray is currently detained at the Barrow County Detention Center without bond while facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and cruelty to children. If found guilty, he may join the ranks of parents held accountable for their children’s alleged school shootings, similar to the parents of Ethan Crumbley, who was sentenced to at least ten years in prison for his involvement in the Michigan school shooting.

His son, 14-year-old Colt Gray, faces four felony murder charges tied to the tragic deaths of classmates Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old, as well as teachers Ricky Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Authorities allege that Colt brought a firearm to school in his backpack, resulting in the shootings on September 4. Additionally, nine others, including eight students and one teacher, were injured during the incident.

Inquiries into the incident reveal that Colin Gray allegedly allowed his son access to a firearm prior to the shooting. Recent bodycam footage depicted law enforcement visiting the Gray residence in May 2023 after receiving a tip regarding a Discord account potentially linked to Colt that had issued threats about a school shooting.

During that visit, Colin Gray informed officers that his son had access to weapons while claiming to educate him about gun safety. He stated that he and Colt often participated in shooting and deer hunting activities together, emphasizing their awareness of the seriousness surrounding firearms.

Colin also expressed concern about the implications of the alleged threats made by his son and noted that he would be upset if Colt followed through with any violent acts, saying, “I’m going to be mad as hell if he did and then all the guns will go away.” Despite external authorities notifying schools about the threats and advising Colin to keep Colt home, law enforcement did not possess sufficient probable cause to detain him, as indicated by the FBI’s Atlanta division.

The community of Winder, Georgia, continues to deal with the aftermath of this devastating event, grappling with grief while also voicing anger and seeking answers regarding how such an incident could occur. The tragic shooting represents one of the most severe school shootings in recent years, impacting the lives of many within the small town.

As the case continues to unfold, both the legal and educational systems are under scrutiny in the wake of the tragic events. Families affected by the incident are questioning how to move forward while dealing with the intense emotions and repercussions that follow such senseless violence.

Source: USA Today