Georgia father Colin Gray sentenced to 15 years for murder in son's Apalachee High School shooting

Colin Gray, 55, was sentenced by Barrow County Circuit Court to 15 years in prison after a jury convicted him of two counts of second‑degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, cruelty to children and reckless conduct. The convictions stem from the Sept. 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where his 14‑year‑old son, Colt Gray, used an AR‑15 rifle to kill two students and two teachers and wound nine others.

The case is the first in the United States where a parent has been found guilty of murder for actions tied to a child’s mass shooting. Judge Nicholas Primm described the prosecution as “a little unique,” noting that while Gray did not plan or fire the weapon, his negligence in providing and leaving the gun accessible was directly linked to the attack. After sentencing, Gray was transferred to the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison with a projected release date of Sept. 5, 2039. Prosecutors sought an 80‑year term, while the defense requested a 20‑year sentence.

Authorities indicated that Colt Gray’s mother is not facing charges under Georgia law, though families of victims called for broader accountability.