The juvenile suspect in the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School made his first appearance in court in Barrow County Friday morning.
Colt Gray, 14, is accused of shooting 13 people, killing four, in the Wednesday morning attack on the school’s campus near Winder.
Judge Currie Mingledorff informed Colt that he faces four counts of felony murder in the case during the hearing. Mingledorff clarified in court that Colt’s possible sentences only include life in prison without parole or life in prison with the possibility of parole.
“For the fact that you are under 18 years old…make it clear to you that the penalty for the crimes for which you are charged does not include death,” Mingledorff said.
Colt’s father, Colin Gray, age 54, also made his first appearance in court Friday morning. He was arrested by the GBI Thursday night in connection to the case.
Colin is accused of knowingly allowing Colt to possess the weapon that was allegedly used in the shooting.
Colin faces several charges, including:
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Four counts of involuntary manslaughter
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Two counts of second-degree murder
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And eight counts of cruelty to children
“The maximum penalty for each count is up to 30 years imprisonment for felony involuntary manslaughter,” Judge Mingkedorf told Colin. “Maximum penalty for each of those offenses is 10 years imprisonment for the eight felony cruelty to children counts, the maximum penalty under the law for each of those eight counts is 10 years imprisonment for a maximum total possible penalty for the charges that you currently are facing of 180 years imprisonment.”
Neither Colt nor Colin requested bond. The father and son will have separate preliminary hearings, each held on Dec. 4, 2024 at their respective times.
