Georgia high school shooting suspect and his dad make 1st court appearances

The Apalachee High School shooting suspect, Colt Gray, is charged as an adult.

September 6, 2024, 11:00 AM

Colt Gray, the 14-year-old accused of opening fire at his Georgia high school, and his father, Colin Gray, each made their first appearances in the same courtroom Friday in connection to the mass shooting.

At Colt Gray's appearance, Judge Currie Mingledorff informed him of the charges against him and ordered him held without bond.

Booking photo of Apalachee High School shooting suspect, Colt Gray, released by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office.
Barrow County Sheriff's Office

Colt Gray is charged with four counts of felony murder for allegedly shooting and killing two teachers and two students at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. Another seven students and two teachers were injured.

More charges will be filed against Colt Gray in connection to the surviving victims, prosecutors said.

The 14-year-old will be tried as an adult, authorities said.

PHOTO: Shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder
People pay their respects at the site of a makeshift memorial at Apalachee High School the day after a fatal shooting left four dead in Winder, Georgia, U.S. September 5, 2024.
Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters

The teen's father, Colin Gray, 54, was arrested Thursday and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, the GBI said.

Colin Gray is accused of "knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon," GBI Director Chris Hosey said Thursday. Investigators believe that Gray received the AR-style gun used in the shooting as a Christmas present from his father, according to sources.

Colin Gray, 54, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Barrow County Sheriff's Office/via Reuters

Colin Gray, who also appeared in front of Mingledorff, appeared to be rocking back and forth in his chair during the hearing.

If convicted on all of the charges he is facing, Colin Gray could be sentenced to 180 years, Mingledorff said.

Mingledorff thanked those in the gallery for their decorum. One of the members of the gallery clutched a doll during the hearing.

Students and parents walk off campus at Apalachee High School after a shooting, Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP

A motive has not yet been determined and it is unknown if the victims were targeted, investigators said.

The next court appearances for Colt Gray and Colin Gray were set for Dec. 4.

Law enforcement arrive as students are evacuated to the football stadium after the school campus was placed on lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., on Sept. 4, 2024.
Jeff Amy/AP

ABC News’ Alexandra Faul contributed to this report.