ATLANTA — A significant legal decision was made this week as a judge granted a bond of $500,000 for Colin Gray, the father of a 14-year-old boy linked to a tragic school shooting in north Georgia. This case is notable as it is uncommon for parents to be charged following such incidents.
Colin Gray’s son, Colt Gray, has entered a plea of not guilty to 29 charges, which include two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter, stemming from the shooting that occurred on September 4 at Apalachee High School in Winder. Both Colin and Colt Gray have been indicted in relation to the incident, which resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers, in addition to injuring several others. They have both maintained their innocence regarding the charges against them.
It has come to light that Colin Gray provided his son with an assault-style weapon as a Christmas gift. Investigators revealed during earlier court proceedings that Colin was aware of Colt’s deteriorating mental state in the weeks preceding the shooting. Additionally, it was disclosed that the boy had developed an obsession with school shooters, including creating a shrine for the gunman involved in the 2018 Parkland shooting.
During the recent court hearing, family members of the deceased and injured victims expressed their devastation, with some becoming emotional while sharing their grief. They urged the judge to keep Colin Gray incarcerated without bond as he awaits trial. Breanna Schermerhorn, whose son Mason was among the victims, articulated the impact on her family, stating, “Mr. Gray’s irresponsibility as a parent robbed my family of the chance to raise my son.”
In response to the sorrow echoed by those present, Judge Nick Primm acknowledged the profound suffering that the community is enduring, likening the situation to an ongoing wound. He affirmed the seriousness of the case and its ramifications on the community.
Representing Colin Gray, attorney Jimmy Berry argued that the prosecution failed to demonstrate that the father would be a danger to society if he was allowed to post bond, emphasizing that the purpose of pretrial bail is not to impose punishment before a trial concludes. The judge clarified, however, that his ability to make a decision was constrained by legal standards which focus on assessing the risk of flight, potential danger to the community, and witness tampering.
The judge noted there was no evidence to suggest that Colin Gray would flee or pose a threat if granted bond, but he nevertheless restricted Gray from interacting with witnesses. Should he be unable to secure the bond, he would remain in custody.
Additionally, the judge expressed skepticism about Gray’s ability to reside in Winder while awaiting trial, stating that “in the court of public opinion, he bears a scarlet letter.” Before the ruling, Colin Gray confirmed his intention to stay with his sister in a neighboring county if released on bond.
Colt Gray faces adult charges that include 55 counts, with allegations of murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting. The younger Gray is accused of meticulously planning the attack, even carrying the weapon into school concealed within a book bag. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both aged 14. Seven other students were injured, some of whom suffered gunshot wounds.
Colin Gray stands as the first known adult in Georgia to face charges related to a school shooting. His indictment reflects a growing trend of holding parents accountable for their children’s actions in such tragedies. Comparatively, the parents of another school shooter in Michigan were convicted for their negligence in providing access to firearms and ignoring signs of their son’s mental health crisis prior to a 2021 shooting.
As the legal proceedings continue, the community is left grappling with the aftermath of the tragic event while the judicial system works to determine the consequences of those involved.
