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GA School Shooter Kept Assault Rifle Next To His Bed

Crime and Justice News

The father of the 14-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting four people at a Georgia high school gave his son the assault rifle used in the attack as a Christmas gift and allowed him to keep it next to his bed, despite mental health concerns. In a preliminary hearing for Colin Gray, 54, Georgia Bureau of Investigations agents detailed extensive warning signs surrounding his teen son, Colt Gray, leading up to the September shooting at Apalachee High School that prosecutors say Colin Gray ignored, reports Courthouse News Service. Colin Gray faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. The charges stem from providing his son a firearm while knowing he was a threat to himself and others, prosecutors said.


Barrow County Chief Magistrate Judge Caroline Evans ruled there was sufficient probable cause for the charges. Along with the weapon used in the shooting, a SIG Sauer M400, Colin Gray also bought his son a tactical vest, ammunition and laser sights for the weapon, agents testified. Colin Gray told investigators that he bought his son larger magazines for the rifle, after Colt Gray requested it. Agent Kelsey Ward said that another assault rifle and a shotgun were found unsecured in the closet of Colin Gray's bedroom, which he shared with his 8-year old son. A handgun was also discovered on the bedroom floor, as well as a Glock in Colin’s vehicle. Colin Gray told investigators that he enjoyed shooting and hunting and wanted his son to get into the hobby as well. Investigators said that Colt Gray's mother, 43-year-old Marcee Gray, had grown worried about her son’s increasing interest in firearms before the shooting and argued with his father over whether the firearms were locked away.


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