Authorities are currently investigating a possible connection between Apalachee High School mass shooting suspect Colt Gray and a social media account that was inspired by the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter. It was recently discovered that Gray had writings referencing the 2018 Parkland High School massacre in his room. New audio obtained by Fox News from a 2023 visit to his home and a police report show that Gray allegedly made shooting threats in the past on the messaging app Discord. The FBI received tips from users in various locations, including Palmdale, Calif., Los Angeles, and Cockburn, Australia, regarding comments made on Discord about shooting up a school.
A Jackson County police report revealed that the email associated with the Discord account may have belonged to Gray, who is accused of killing four people and injuring nine others at his school. Law enforcement investigated the online threat and found that the user profile name was written in Russian, translating to Lanza, which refers to the Sandy Hook shooter Adam Lanza. In a May 2023 interview, Gray and his father denied involvement in the threats and claimed that the account was hacked. The investigation at the time concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the allegation that Gray was behind the threats.
Authorities found documents in Gray’s bedroom that they believe he wrote, including references to the Parkland massacre. While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, Gray’s father discussed his son’s struggles with mental health at school and home. The teenager had a tumultuous childhood, moving frequently among rental homes. Gray’s father mentioned that he struggled with the separation of his parents and had been dealing with bullying at school, making it difficult for him to attend. Additionally, the father admitted to knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon, as he believed the son understood the seriousness of firearms.
Colt Gray, 14, has been charged with four counts of felony murder and more charges are expected to follow. His father, Colin Gray, 54, was also arrested and is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder, and cruelty to children. Despite the serious charges against them, the public defender representing both Colts did not respond to requests for comments from Fox News Digital. The investigation into the shooting at Apalachee High School is ongoing, with authorities working to piece together the events that led to the tragic incident.
The audio from the 2023 police interview with Gray and his father sheds light on the investigation at the time, revealing details of the family’s struggles and the concerns raised about Gray’s behavior online. Police had previously been alerted to threats made on Discord, with users reporting comments indicating a desire to carry out a school shooting. The father expressed concern about his son’s mental health and the challenges he faced in school. Despite efforts to address these issues, the tragic events at Apalachee High School unfolded, resulting in multiple casualties and leaving a lasting impact on the community.
As authorities continue to investigate the connections between Gray and the online threats, the community mourns the loss of those affected by the school shooting. The devastating impact of such incidents underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues and providing support to those who are struggling. The case of Colt Gray highlights the complexities of identifying and intervening in situations where individuals may pose a threat to themselves or others. Moving forward, there is a renewed call for vigilance and proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
