Colt Gray, the suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or life with the possibility of parole if convicted.
Colt Gray, the suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, made his first court appearance Friday, September 6, 2024, in a Barrow County court. Gray has been charged as an adult with four counts of felony murder in connection to the shooting and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or life with the possibility of parole if convicted, Judge Currie Mingledorff II said.
During the hearing, Mingledorff clarified an earlier statement that the death penalty was a possible maximum penalty for Gray. However, he stated that Gray would not face the death penalty if convicted because he is a juvenile. Gray remained in custody as his attorneys did not request bond. He did not enter a plea during the appearance.
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Life in Prison
An attorney representing Gray informed the judge that "there was a development yesterday afternoon that makes it necessary for our office to have alternate counsel appointed, and arrangements have already been made in that regard."
"I've already explained that to Mr. Gray. Alternate counsel will be appointed by the end of the day today," she added.
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Life in Prison
Shortly after, the suspect's father, Colin Gray, appeared in court for a separate hearing. He was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter, and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Investigators have not yet provided specific evidence related to the charges but have alleged that he knowingly allowed his son to possess a weapon.
In 2023, Colin Gray told Jackson County officers that there were guns in the house but that they were not loaded when questioned about an online threat against a middle school linked to Colt Gray.
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Life in Prison
Judge Mingledorff explained the maximum penalties for the charges Colin Gray faces: "For the felony murder counts... the maximum penalty for each count is up to 30 years imprisonment. For felony involuntary manslaughter... the maximum penalty for each of those offenses is ten years imprisonment."
"For the eight felony cruelty to children counts, the maximum penalty under the law for each of those eight counts is ten years imprisonment for a maximum total, possible penalty for the charges that you currently are facing, of 180 years imprisonment," the judge concluded.
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Life in Prison
Gray could be seen rocking back and forth in his chair after the judge spoke. The preliminary hearing in his case, like his son's, will be on December 4.
In 2023, Gray told the officers that he had sought to teach gun safety and that his son had recently shot his first deer. He also revealed that he was divorced from his wife and that he had recently been evicted from his home. He added that his son had also had "problems" at a former middle school.
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect Faces Life in Prison
