Father of accused Apalachee High School shooter found guilty of murder

Written by: KC Harrington

Published March 3, 2026 @ 10:25 PM ET

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — The father of a teenager accused of fatally shooting four people at a Georgia high school in 2024 has been convicted on multiple charges tied to the weapon used in the attack.

A jury found Colin Gray, 55, guilty on 27 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and cruelty to children. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before returning the verdict. Two second-degree cruelty to children charges were dismissed prior to deliberations.

The convictions stem from allegations that Gray provided his son, Colt Gray, with the rifle prosecutors say was used in the shooting at Apalachee High School. During the roughly two-week trial, Colin Gray testified that he gave the firearm to his son as a Christmas gift.

Four people were killed in the attack: Students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie.

Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray should have recognized the threat posed by his son and that his actions enabled the tragedy. Gray testified that he did not believe his son was capable of carrying out a mass shooting.

Under Georgia law, second-degree murder carries a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison. The case marked the first time in Georgia history that a parent of a school shooting suspect was charged in connection with the crime, according to the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors were able to pursue the second-degree murder charges under a state law enacted in 2014.

Sentencing has not yet been announced.