Former neighbors of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old accused of carrying out the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, share their chilling accounts of the family's troubled history, revealing a picture of chaos and volatility that may have been overlooked.
Amid the profound grief and unanswered questions surrounding the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, the former neighbors of the suspected shooter, Colt Gray, have provided chilling insights into the family's chaotic past. Their harrowing accounts, obtained by Fox News Digital, paint a disturbing picture of a household in disarray, volatile outbursts, and missed opportunities that may have contributed to the devastating events.
The Gray family lived in a sprawling home on nearly 8 acres of land in Statham, Georgia, until September 2019. The current owners of the property recall that the house was in a state of disarray when they purchased it.
Inside the Chaotic Home of Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray
"It was a mess," one neighbor said anonymously. "There were clothes and toys everywhere, and the yard was overgrown."
Another neighbor recounted an encounter with Colt's mother, Marcee Gray, on the day the family moved out. "She warned us to avoid eye contact with her husband, Colin," the neighbor said. "She said he was in a mood and she didn't know what he would do."
Inside the Chaotic Home of Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray
Indeed, Colin Gray's volatile behavior was a recurring theme among neighbors. "He had red, glassy eyes and didn't bother anyone, but he also didn't interact," said one neighbor who witnessed him during the move. "There was not much supervision," another neighbor added, referring to the children, including Colt, who were left to fend for themselves.
A heartbreaking story shared by an elderly neighbor underscores the extent of Colin Gray's instability. "Marcee came running up our driveway with a child in her hands, trying to get into our barn," the neighbor said. "Her husband chased after her and when he saw me, he turned around and left real fast."
Inside the Chaotic Home of Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray
"I told Marcee I was there if she needed me and she thanked me," the neighbor continued. "The next day, I found a note on my door that said, 'Thank you. You saved my life.' It was signed by Marcee."
Colt, on the other hand, was described as an unusually bright and witty child. "He was smart and really cute," said one neighbor who gave Colt and his sibling a ride on their horse.
Inside the Chaotic Home of Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray
Following the sale of the Statham home, the Gray family appeared to spiral further. The parents divorced, separating the children. Colt moved in with his father, while his two younger siblings initially lived with their mother.
Subsequent rentals in Jefferson and Winder, Georgia, provided little stability for the family. Colt and his father were living in the Winder rental at the time of the tragic shooting that claimed four lives and injured nine.
Inside the Chaotic Home of Georgia School Shooter Colt Gray
The victims of the shooting, including two students and two math teachers, have left an immeasurable void in the community. The accused shooter, Colt Gray, is being tried as an adult and faces four counts of murder. His father, Colin Gray, also faces related charges.
As the investigation continues, authorities are scrutinizing the family's past to determine if any signs of trouble were missed. The tragic events at Apalachee High School have underscored the urgent need to address mental health concerns and family dysfunction that can lead to such devastating outcomes.
