WINDER, Ga. — Colin Gray is on trial in Barrow County for allegedly providing the assault-style weapon used by his son, Colt Gray, in a September 4, 2025 shooting at Apalachee High School that resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries. Gray has pleaded not guilty to 29 charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the incident.
His son, Colt Gray, then 14, faces 55 charges as an adult, including four counts of murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault. The shooting claimed the lives of teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, as well as students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both age 14. An additional teacher and eight students were injured, seven from gunfire.
Court testimony revealed Colin Gray had given the weapon to his son as a Christmas gift and was aware of Colt’s declining mental health in the weeks prior to the shooting. Investigators noted Colt’s fixation on school shootings, pointing to a shrine in his bedroom dedicated to Nikolas Cruz, responsible for the 2018 Parkland massacre.
Jurors have been presented with photos of Colt Gray’s bedroom, including the shrine, as part of the evidence, along with testimony from family members about the boy’s upbringing. Colt’s maternal grandmother described a tumultuous childhood marked by frequent moves across Georgia between 2020 and 2024. Marcee Gray, Colt’s mother, was present but absent when she was scheduled to testify.
Evidence outlined Colt’s behavioral history at various schools, including suspensions for misconduct and graffiti, as well as a 2021 investigation by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) following an incident involving Colt. Police also conducted a home visit in May 2023 after a tip regarding a school shooting threat surfaced on the platform Discord; Colin Gray was advised to secure firearms in his home.
Despite ongoing concerns regarding Colt’s behavior and well-being, testimony and records show Colin Gray did not consistently pursue mental health counseling for his son. A mental health therapist testified that although there was an inquiry about counseling in August 2024, appointments were not successfully scheduled.
The trial has included detailed accounts from students, school staff, law enforcement, and medical examiners. Witnesses described the events on the day of the shooting, the emergency response, and the aftermath at the school. Forensic experts confirmed Colt Gray fired at least 36 shots from a modified AR-15 style weapon he had brought to school with over 100 cartridges.
The prosecution aims to prove Colin Gray’s knowledge of the threats posed by his son and his failure to prevent access to the firearm were contributory factors in the tragedy. The jury, drawn from neighboring Hall County, continues to hear testimony as the trial progresses.
