A Georgia man who bought a gun for his teenage son, who allegedly used it to kill four people at a high school northeast of Atlanta, was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges Tuesday.
Colin Gray bought his son Colt an assault-style rifle as a Christmas gift, despite warnings that the boy’s mental health had deteriorated, prosecutors said.
Colt Gray is accused of using it to kill fellow 14-year-olds Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, in the Sept. 4, 2024, attack at Apalachee High School.
Prosecutors accused Colin Gray of giving the boy the weapon as a gift despite knowing his son had mental health issues and admired other school shooters, including the one who killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018.
Colt Gray has also been indicted on dozens of counts, including murder, and has a hearing set for later this month. His father will be sentenced later. Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Erum Salam is breaking news reporter for MS NOW, with a focus on how global events and foreign policy shape U.S. politics. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian and is a graduate of Texas A&M University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Follow her on X, Bluesky and Instagram. Recommended
