The alleged Georgia school shooter, Colt Gray, and his father are facing charges while authorities continue to investigate a possible connection between Gray and a social media account referencing the Sandy Hook shooting.
Authorities are delving into a potential connection between Colt Gray, the suspected perpetrator of the Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, and an online account inspired by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. Investigators recently discovered writings in Gray's room referencing another school shooting tragedy, the 2018 Parkland High School massacre.
According to audio obtained by Fox News from a 2023 visit to Gray's home and a recently surfaced police report, Gray allegedly made shooting threats on the messaging app Discord. The Jackson County report reveals that the FBI received tips from users across various locations alerting them to these disturbing comments.
Georgia Shooting: Suspect and Father Linked to Disturbing Online Activity
The alleged shooter, identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, was arrested as a student at the high school. The officer's report indicates that the email associated with the Discord account may have belonged to Gray, based on the FBI's investigation.
Investigators noted that the user profile name on the account was written in Russian and translates to the name "Lanza," referring to Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza, who killed 20 first-grade students and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut.
Georgia Shooting: Suspect and Father Linked to Disturbing Online Activity
The audio from the May 2023 interview with Gray and his father, Colin Gray, provides insights into the initial investigation. Both father and son denied the teen authored the threats, and he claimed to have deleted his Discord account due to hacking. Gray also denied ever making comments about shooting up a school.
The father, Colin Gray, expressed surprise and concern regarding the allegations and stated that he takes such matters seriously. However, authorities ultimately determined there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claim.
Georgia Shooting: Suspect and Father Linked to Disturbing Online Activity
Authorities also discovered documents in Gray's bedroom that they believe were written by him, containing references to the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas massacre in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people lost their lives.
While Gray's motive remains unclear, Colin Gray discussed his son's mental health struggles and difficulties he faced at school. The teen's parents were divorced, and he lived with his father, who reportedly took him to school.
Georgia Shooting: Suspect and Father Linked to Disturbing Online Activity
Gray's childhood was marked by instability, as he moved to multiple rental homes within a short period. Police have charged Colin Gray with knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon.
Colt Gray faces four counts of felony murder, with additional charges pending. Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Georgia Shooting: Suspect and Father Linked to Disturbing Online Activity
The public defender representing both Coltin and Colin Gray has not commented on the matter. The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the full extent of the connection between Gray and the online activity, as well as the circumstances leading to the tragic shooting incident.
