Authorities in Georgia released bodycam footage of an interview with the alleged Apalachee High School shooter, Colt Gray, and his father, Colin Gray. The footage shows the sheriff’s deputies interacting with the Grays after being tipped off by the FBI about a threat to shoot up a middle school on the messaging app Discord. When the police arrived at the Gray residence, Colin answered the door and appeared surprised. The officers explained the reason for their visit and asked about Colt. Colin shared that Colt had been struggling due to his parents’ divorce and eviction and had been experiencing bullying at school.
Colin elaborated on Colt’s difficulties at school and his struggles with being picked on by classmates. He explained that he had taken Colt to school multiple times due to incidents of bullying and even claimed that Colt wanted to move out of the school district. Colin also admitted to having guns in the house, stating that he had been teaching Colt about firearm safety and hunting. He insisted that all guns were secured but expressed shock at the situation. Colin stressed the importance of educating Colt about the seriousness of firearms and their potential dangers.
Colt eventually joined the officers on the porch and denied making any threats to shoot up the school, claiming that they must have misheard someone else. The officers seemed to take Colt at his word, and they even shared a light moment about people lying to the police. However, authorities later identified Colt as the shooter responsible for killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School. He surrendered to authorities and is being tried as an adult. Additionally, Colt’s father, Colin, has been charged in connection with the shooting for allowing his son access to firearms.
Colin Gray, 54, is facing multiple charges, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. Georgia is one of 42 states that holds parents criminally responsible for their children’s actions. Authorities alleged that Colin knew about and allowed Colt to have access to firearms in the household prior to the shooting. The case has raised questions about the responsibility of parents in preventing such tragedies and ensuring the safe handling of firearms within the home. The investigation into the school shooting continues, and both Colt and Colin Gray remain in custody as the legal process unfolds.
