Apalachee High School shooting: Arrest of Colt Gray's father announced
BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested 54-year-old Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old suspected Apalachee High School shooter, Colt Gray.
Colin is being charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
"These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon," said GBI Director Chris Hosey said during an 8 p.m. press conference Thursday.
Colin was with his son, Colt, during an interview last year with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office after the FBI connected threats made on Discord server to the then-13-year-old. No probable cause was found during that investigation, but the school was notified about the incident. The family would then move to neighboring Barrow County, enrolling Colt into Apalachee High School.
SEE ALSO: Accused Apalachee High School shooter's trouble home life, potential warning signs
Colin Gray (Barrow County Sheriff's Office)
Hosey would not go into the evidence collected against either father or son, but added that the arrest was made when there was enough probable cause to do so. The ATF and GBI were at the Gray home within an hour after Colt Gray was taken into custody. Investigators spent the day combing over the house for evidence linked to the shooting.
He was booked into the Barrow County Jail.
"We're obviously still investigating, following all leads, all evidence and we'll see where it takes us as we progress forward," said Hosey.
SEE ALSO: Colin Gray not the first parent arrested after child accused of fatal shooting
Officials also revealed that all nine people injured in the shooting are expected to recover. Two of those who were shot were teachers and the rest were students. Several of them still remain in the hospital.
Authorities reminded students to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.
Hearing for Colt Gray scheduled
A hearing has been scheduled for the 14-year-old accused of killing 4 people and injuring 9 others during a mass shooting on Wednesday at Apalachee High School just outside Winder in Barrow County.
ORIGINAL STORY: Apalachee High School shooting victims identified; 14-year-old suspect to be charged with murder
Gray was moved to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center overnight. He will be tried and arraigned as an adult. He is being charged with four counts of felony murder.
PHOTOS: Vigil for Apalachee High School victims | Sept. 4, 2024
Student shares terror inside Apalachee High School shooting
One student, who did not wish to show their face, shared the terrifying moments they experienced from inside the classroom as a mass shooting unfolded at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. FOX 5's Eric Perry spoke to the student and has their story.
Colt Gray will make his first appearance at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 6. The teen will appear by video from a youth detention facility for the proceedings at the Barrow County courthouse.
Gray was interviewed by law enforcement immediately after the shooting. A motive for the shooting has not been released at this time.
RELATED: What we know about the suspected shooter
Apalachee High School teachers, students killed in attack
The GBI identified the victims as Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, both math teachers, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14-years-old.
Aspinwall was also an assistant football coach for the Apalachee Wildcats.
Community rallies behind Apalachee High shooting victims
Community members are mourning the loss of two 14-year-old students and two teachers killed in a mass shooting Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. The suspect, 14-year-old Colt Gray, was taken into custody and will be tried as an adult on murder charges. He has a bond hearing set. It's still unclear at this time why the teen opened fire. FOX 5's Eric Perry has the story.
Students describe Irimie as patient and caring.
"We call them heroes. We love our teachers and what they do and we're very happy they stood in the gap between evil to protect their children and we want to include them who saved the lives that were saved yesterday," said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.
Schermerhorn's family says he was always positive and looked at the bright side of things.
Angulo was described as a free spirit who had a "chill" attitude.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY REMEMBER FALLEN VICTIMS OF APALACHEE HIGH SCHOOL ATTACK:
- Apalachee High School student Christian Angulo 'was so loved by many'
- Apalachee Wildcats Coach Richard Aspinwall remembered by players as 'like family'
- Cristina Irimie remembered as 'hero' educator, 'role model for our generations'
- Sister of Apalachee High School student Mason Schermerhorn: ‘He loved everyone’
- How to help Apalachee High School shooting victims
Teachers killed in Apalachee High shooting being hailed as heroes
The community is remembering two teachers who lost their lives trying to protect their students during a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Richard Aspinwall was a coach and math teacher. Christina Irimie who was also a math teacher. Both were killed in the shooting. FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor has more on how the community is honoring the pair.
What happened at Apalachee High School
At about 10:22 a.m., the Barrow County E911 center got an alert through the Centegix system, a new security system implemented in all Barrow County schools in 2024, followed by multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter at the school.
Officers responded to the high school within minutes and almost immediately encountered the suspected shooter, who dropped his weapon and surrendered. The Barrow County Rescue Task Force entered the school shortly after, evacuating all the critically wounded from the building with a half hour of the first 911 call.
Mug shot of Colt Gray, suspected school shooter
The Barrow County Sheriff's Office has released the mug shot of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is accused of opening fire inside Apalachee High School in Winder on Wednesday, killing two teachers, two students, and injuring at least nine others. He is being charged with four counts of felony murder.
PHOTOS: Apalachee High School mass shooting
Students and staff were evacuated from the high school and made to wait on the school's football field until the school could be cleared. At around 11:30 a.m., it was announced that the school was safe and students were released to their families or transported home on buses.
Authorities say that Gray used an "AR-platform style weapon" during the shooting.
RELATED: What we know about the suspected shooter
The FBI and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office revealed Gray was on their radar about 16 months ago, and was questioned about reported posts on an online gaming site threatening to shoot up a school. The FBI, in a joint release with JCSO, stated there was not enough evidence to charge Gray.
Colt Gray's home raided
Within hours of Wednesday’s shooting at Apalachee High School, law enforcement from state and federal agencies swarmed the home of the suspected shooter, Colt Gray. Investigators from the GBI, ATF, FBI and other agencies were on the scene well into the evening, searching the home for evidence.
"The police presence and the SWAT, they were flying down the road. I know 50 cars plus, just coming fast, jumping out of cars, full armor, guns in hand, surrounding the house," said neighbor Christie Ridings.
Colt Gray
Investigators say they were searching for guns and other weapons, as well as computers, cellphones, and other electronics that could access social media accounts, anything that could help piece together a timeline of events, a motive, and how this could happen.
Ridings said the family has lived in the home just across the Winder line, in the town of Bethlehem for about two years.