In brief
Colin Gray's trial begins with jury selection in Gainesville following the fatal shooting of two students and two teachers by his son, Colt Gray. Accusations include giving Colt access to firearms despite warning signs of his mental instability. This case marks a rare prosecution of a parent linked to a child's actions in a school shooting. The trial location was moved to mitigate potential bias from local jurors.
ATLANTA (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, who faces serious charges after his teenage son, Colt, allegedly killed two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school in September 2024. Colin Gray is charged with 29 counts, including second-degree murder and cruelty to children, stemming from allegations that he allowed his son to access a firearm.
The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder resulted in the deaths of teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, as well as two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Investigators assert Colt had meticulously planned the school attack, documenting his strategies in a notebook.
Colin Gray is accused of having gifted the weapon to Colt and later purchasing a larger magazine at his son's request, despite being aware of his son's fascination with school shooters. Prosecutors will argue that Gray's actions directly contributed to the violent incident.
Initially set to proceed in Winder, jury selection has been relocated to Gainesville, approximately 25 miles away, to ensure a fair trial due to the extensive media coverage and community impact of the shooting.
The outcome of this case may set a precedent, as it mirrors other instances nationwide where parents have faced criminal charges for their role in their children's violent actions. If convicted, Colin Gray could face a lengthy prison sentence, highlighting the ongoing debate about parental responsibility in youth crimes.
