A father whose son is accused of fatally shooting two teachers and two classmates in 2024 at a Georgia high school has been found guilty of murder, manslaughter and other charges after providing his son the gun allegedly used in the shooting.
USA Today reports that Colin Gray, 55, testified during the trial that he gave his son, Colt Gray, the rifle allegedly used in the shooting as a Christmas present.
"The guilty verdict of Colin Gray...sends a clear message: gun owners who recklessly arm a child in crisis will be held accountable," said Nick Suplina, senior vice president of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. "When three out of four school shooters get their firearms from the home, these tragedies are not just predictable--they are preventable."
Colt Gray, then 14, allegedly opened fire in September 2024 at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Killed in the attack were students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. NIne others were injured.
The younger Gray has not yet been tried. He is facing 55 charges, including murder, aggravated assault and cruelty to children.
Prosecutors brought charges against the father shortly after the shooting. They argued that he should have known the danger his son posed. The case was "about who armed Colt and who enabled him to do what he did," prosecutor Patricia Brooks told jurors.
Colin Gray testified that he had no idea his son was capable of carrying out a mass shooting.
The jury convicted Colin Gray on 29 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and cruelty to children.
