Suspected Ga. high school shooter will face more charges, DA says

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith said the suspect in this week’s deadly shooting at Apalachee High School will face additional charges, and more charges are also being considered against his father. Both Colt Gray, 14, and Colin Gray, 54, appeared in the Barrow County courthouse where Judge Currie Mingledorff II set Dec. 4, 2024, at 8:30 a. m.

, as preliminary hearings for both. Colt Gray is the suspect in the shooting that left two students and two teachers dead and nine others hospitalized on Wednesday. Police have said Gray will be tried as an adult. He has been booked in the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center and is facing four counts of felony murder. Colin Gray was arrested and charged late Thursday night with four counts of involuntary manslaughter; two counts of second-degree murder; and eight counts of cruelty to children.

Police say he knowingly allowed his son to have access to an AR-15-style rifle that was allegedly used in the shooting. Shortly before 11 a. m. , Smith said Colin Gray may face more charges as well. A grand jury has been empaneled for the case, and will meet October 17, 2024.

Media outlets were prohibited from photographing Colt Gray’s face. Colin Gray was visibly shaken during his court appearance, and was seen weeping and rocking back and forth in his seat. Colt Gray’s attorney at the hearing was Zane Harmon, an assistant public defender from Jackson County; he made no request for bond. The maximum penalty for each count is life in prison with or without the possibility of parole. Because of Colt Gray’s age, Mingledorff said the charges against him do not qualify for death penalty considerations.

Colin Gray’s defense counsel was Donna Seagraves, a circuit public defender from Jackson County. Both Harmon and Seagraves said alternate counsels for the father and son will be appointed later in the day.