Trial Set for Father Charged After Son's High School Shooting

Tue Feb 10 2026 01:29:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Colin Gray faces multiple counts including second-degree murder, accused of providing his son the gun used in the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.

In a highly publicized case, Colin Gray is set to face trial starting Monday, following accusations that he enabled his son to commit a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. The shooting left four victims dead, and Gray is charged with multiple counts including second-degree murder. The trial highlights ongoing debates over parental responsibility in school violence cases.

ATLANTA (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in September 2024.

Gray faces 29 counts including two counts of second-degree murder, related to the shooting at the school in Winder, Georgia. The indictment states that Gray allegedly provided his son, Colt, access to a firearm after being warned about his potential for violence.

Killed in the shooting were teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Several others were injured during the incident.

The Incident

Witnesses describe that Colt Gray planned the September 4 shooting meticulously, including diagrams and a detailed attack plan in a notebook.

During the attack, Colt carried a semiautomatic rifle onto a school bus and shot multiple individuals, causing chaos and tragedy within the school environment.

Charges Against Colin Gray

Colin Gray provided his son with a firearm as a Christmas gift and reportedly recognized a serious change in his son’s mental state. Investigators revealed that discussions regarding his son's obsession with past school shootings were dismissed as jokes.

Prosecutors argue that Gray failed to act on clear warning signs leading to the deadly event, raising questions about parental responsibility in preventing youth violence.

Trial Proceedings

The trial will take place in Winder, with jury selection occurring in Gainesville — a nearby city to mitigate community bias. The judge has allocated three weeks for both jury selection and subsequent trial proceedings.

Context and Implications

This case is part of a troubling trend where parents are held legally accountable for their children's violence. Legal experts note the importance of establishing a clear precedent regarding parental responsibility in school shooting incidents.

The trial is expected to draw significant public attention, reflecting broader societal concerns over gun access and mental health issues faced by youth today.