The father of the suspected shooter who opened fire at a Georgia high school, killing two teachers and two students, was charged Thursday in connection with the attack — marking the latest case of authorities holding parents accountable for their children’s violent actions.
Colin Gray, 54, the father of Colt Gray, was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Online jail records show that the elder Gray was booked into the Barrow County Detention Center on Thursday night and being held without bond.
Authorities said Colt Gray, 14, was armed with an “an AR-platform style weapon” when he carried out the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. Colt Gray faces four counts of felony murder and “additional charges are expected,” the GBI said earlier Thursday.
“These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon,” GBI Director Chris Hosey said at a news conference Thursday night. “His charges are directly connected with the actions of his son and allowing him to possess a weapon.”
Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and math teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, were fatally shot. Eight other students and one teacher were injured.
Colin Gray’s charges follow the conviction earlier this year of the parents of a 15-year-old who killed four of his classmates in a shooting at his Michigan high school. The parents, Jennifer and James Crumbley, each received 10 to 15 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors said the parents had bought their son, Ethan, the weapon used in the shooting and ignored signs he would commit violence.