The 14-year-old accused in the shooting at a Georgia high school that killed four people and rocked a rural community outside Atlanta is expected to appear before a judge Friday morning as his father faces multiple charges in connection with the attack.
Officials say the suspect, Colt Gray, brought an AR-style weapon to Apalachee High School and opened fire, fatally shooting two math teachers and two 14-year-old students. Eight other students and one teacher were injured and are expected make a full recovery.
The suspect, who surrendered after being confronted by law enforcement, has been charged with four counts of felony murder and his first appearance is slated for 8:30 a.m. at the Barrow County Courthouse.
Authorities on Thursday took the suspect’s father, Colin Gray, 54, into custody on multiple charges in connection with the attack, including involuntary manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder – marking the latest case in which parents face criminal legal action for shootings carried out by their children.
“These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said at a news conference Thursday night. It’s unclear whether the father and son yet have legal representation.
The attack occurred just over a month into the school year and has plunged the city of Winder, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, into a state of mourning as students, parents and residents alike grapple with the deadliest school shooting in the U.S. in over a year.
15-year-old arrested after reported threat to ‘finish the job’
A 15-year-old student was arrested Wednesday after investigators said the teenager referred to the Apalachee High School shooting and pledged to “finish the job to shoot another school in Jackson County.”
Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum said Thursday that the threat was made on a school bus. She said there were witnesses to the threat and the teen was located and brought to the sheriff’s office for interviews.
Afterward, the teenager was charged and was placed in the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville, the same facility where the suspect in the Apalachee High shooting is being held.
Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Ryne Dennis, Wayne Ford, Athens Banner-Herald
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