By WINDER, Georgia — The 14-year-old suspect in a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, appeared in court Friday morning for a detention hearing. The teen, identified as Colt Gray, will remain in custody after his lawyer declined to seek bail.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday, resulted in the deaths of four people and left nine others injured. Gray is facing adult charges of four counts of murder for the killings of two students — Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 — and two teachers — Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53.
According to arrest warrants obtained by The Associated Press, Gray allegedly used a semiautomatic assault-style rifle in the attack. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting or explained how Gray obtained the weapon and brought it into the school.
During Friday’s hearing, Gray appeared in shackles, wearing khaki pants and a green shirt. The proceedings took place at the Barrow County courthouse, where court workers had prepared for an emotional day by placing tissue boxes along the courtroom benches.
In a related development, the suspect’s father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with the shooting. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey announced that the elder Gray faces counts of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder.
“His charges are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon,” Hosey stated. Colin Gray’s first court appearance was also scheduled for Friday.
This case adds to a growing trend of prosecutors holding parents accountable for their children’s actions in school shootings. In April, Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted in a landmark case related to a 2021 school shooting carried out by their son. They received sentences of at least 10 years in prison for failing to secure a firearm at home and ignoring signs of their son’s declining mental health.
Prior to the shooting, Colt Gray had been investigated in May 2023 regarding a menacing social media post. According to a sheriff’s report, Gray denied threatening to carry out a school shooting when interviewed by authorities. Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum stated that conflicting evidence about the post’s origin prevented any arrests at that time.
The Apalachee High School shooting marks the 30th mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. The incident has reignited debates about gun control and school safety measures.
As the community grapples with the tragedy, remembrances of the victims have begun to emerge. Mason Schermerhorn was recalled as an inquisitive child by a neighbor. Richard Aspinwall, a math teacher, also helped coach the school’s football team. Cristina Irimie, who immigrated from Romania, was known for her volunteer work teaching dance at a local church.
The shooting in Winder adds to a series of tragic school shootings across the United States in recent years, including notably deadly incidents in Newtown, Connecticut; Parkland, Florida; and Uvalde, Texas. Despite ongoing public discourse, significant changes to national gun laws have remained elusive.
As the legal proceedings continue, the Winder community and the nation at large are left to confront the recurring issue of gun violence in schools and the complex factors that contribute to these tragic events.
