School shooting in Georgia leaves four dead
Teen and father charged after deadly Georgia school shooting
Marcee Gray was 200 miles from Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, when she sensed something was amiss. It was Wednesday morning before the school shooting that resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers. Her 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, had sent her a text saying, “I’m sorry, mom.”
Marcee immediately contacted the school, urging administrators to check on her son. She later expressed frustration over the delay in their response. A school counselor had informed her that a teacher had reported Colt making references to school shootings earlier that morning.
Authorities allege that Colt Gray killed four individuals and wounded seven others, with two more suffering non-gunshot-related injuries that morning. He faces four counts of felony murder and will be tried as an adult. His father, Colin Gray, 54, has also been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children for allegedly allowing Colt access to a weapon. Neither has entered a plea.
🚨🚨🚨MASS SHOOTING AT GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL LEAVES 4 DEAD AND 30 INJURED🚨🚨🚨
A mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has left over 30 people injured and at least four confirmed dead. ❌❌
— THEREALWORLDNOHOAX (@NOHOAX777) September 4, 2024
Colt’s grandfather, Charles Polhamus, said that following Marcee’s call, they drove from Fitzgerald, Georgia, to Winder. Marcee has not spoken to her son since the incident but conveyed in an interview that she loves him and does not blame him.
On Tuesday, the local community began sending children back to schools, with Apalachee High remaining closed. The Barrow County School System superintendent acknowledged the difficulty ahead and emphasised the responsibility to provide a safe environment for students and staff.
That Wednesday morning, an anonymous call warned of shootings at five schools, with Apalachee High being the first. Colt Gray had stepped out of his second period Algebra class shortly before the shooting began, according to his classmate Lyela Sayarath. Another student with a similar name was mistakenly pulled from class instead of Gray.
Lyela’s mother, Rabecca Sayarath, criticised the school for failing to prevent the deaths, while Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said there were no prior warnings of a potential threat. The sheriff’s office referred further questions to the Barrow County District Attorney’s office.
Polhamus blamed Colin Gray for the tragedy, criticising him for purchasing an AR-15-style weapon for Colt. Authorities said Colt confessed to the shooting when questioned. Polhamus believes Colt needs to be held accountable but was driven to his actions by a dysfunctional family environment.
The FBI had received a tip about Colt making threats against schools in May 2023, but Jackson County deputies could not substantiate the claim. Colin Gray had mentioned that he and Colt hunted together, and Colt had killed his first deer that year. He stated Colt had access to unloaded guns at home and defended this as teaching firearm safety. An investigator had said Colin only possessed hunting rifles.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is examining a social media video from January 2023, showing Colt on a deer hunt with a Bushmaster 450 rifle. The video features a man praising Colt’s shooting skills. A caption on the post by Marcee Gray expressed pride in her son’s abilities and resilience.
Law enforcement officials are looking into the video. CNN has reached out to Marcee Gray for comments on the footage.
What Other Media Are Saying
- AP News reports on the Georgia school shooting, detailing the charges against the 14-year-old suspect and his father, exploring the family’s dynamics and the events leading up to the tragedy.(read more)
- Education Week reports on a mother’s warning that the Georgia school shooting could have been prevented, highlighting staff warnings and the suspect’s mother’s texts.(read more)
- Times of India reports on the Georgia school shooting, highlighting multiple missed warnings that led to the tragedy, including the mother’s urgent call and an anonymous tip about planned attacks.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened at Apalachee High School?
A shooting occurred, killing two students and two teachers.
Who is Colt Gray?
Colt Gray is the 14-year-old suspect charged with the shooting at Apalachee High School.
What charges is Colt Gray facing?
Colt Gray is charged with four counts of felony murder and will be tried as an adult.
What did Colt Gray’s mother do before the shooting?
Marcee Gray called the school to check on her son after receiving a concerning text from him.
What is Colt Gray’s father charged with?
Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and other crimes for allowing his son access to a weapon.
