Following the Apalachee High School shooting that took place on September 4th, 2024, there has been a recent report of the father also being arrested as a suspect in the shooting. Since the tragedy took place, Colt Gray was found with an AR grade weapon that was obtained due to his father’s ownership.
After an analysis made by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Colin Gray at age 54 is being charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The 14-year old suspect, Colt Gray, however has been completely charged with four counts of felony murder.
Colin Gray knowingly acknowledged that his son had access to the weapon. While allowing his son to even possess a weapon such as this one, that is extremely dangerous and resulted in pure evil upon several innocent lives. According to CBS News it states, “Police and federal agents were investigating if the gun used in the shooting, described by officials as an AR-style weapon, was purchased by the teen’s father as a gift for his son in December 2023, according to four federal law enforcement sources close to the investigation.” Unfortunately, this should never have been normalized and for the father to be arrested for these crimes as well is justifiable.
Barrow County will forever have to suffer from this traumatic event and both Colin and Colt have been responsible for these awful actions. Going forward, making restrictions upon the ownership and use of assault grade weapons should be put into place. For a minor to even have access to those sorts of weapons should not be normalized. To change our future, as a society we have to raise our voices and make it known that this is not right. As a high school student myself, we shouldn’t have to fear going into school everyday.
