Apalachee school shooting suspect's father arrested on charges including second-degree murder

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September 5th, 2024

Police officers gather near Apalachee High School after a fatal shooting on Sept. 4, 2024.
Police officers gather near Apalachee High School after a fatal shooting on Sept. 4, 2024. (Chamian Cruz/WABE)

This story was updated at 8:48 p.m.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested the father of the 14-year-old suspect in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder, the agency announced Thursday evening.

Per the GBI, the suspect’s father, Colin Gray, 54, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. The arrest was coordinated with Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith.

At Thursday evening news conference, GBI Director Chris Hosey said the 54-year-old father of the suspect knowingly allowed his son to possess the AR platform-style weapon that he allegedly used in the shooting.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said at the conference that the nine people who were transported to the hospital after the shooting will be expected to make a full recovery. Some have been released from the hospital, he added.

“We call them teachers, but I call them heroes,” he said. “We met with them today. Emotions are very high, obviously, but we told them we love them, we love our teachers and what they do, and we’re very happy with the fact that they stood in the gap between evil to protect their children.”

In the state of Georgia, murder in the second degree is punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison.

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