The father of a teenager accused of a school shooting in Georgia took the stand in his own defense on Friday, revealing that he gifted his son the rifle used in the tragic incident as a Christmas present. Colin Gray stated that his intention was to strengthen their bond over hunting and visits to the gun range while encouraging his son to excel in school.
During the testimony, Gray explained how he presented the gun to his son, who was just 14 years old at the time of the shooting, with the hope that it would motivate him academically. He recalled telling his son, “This is a weapon that I want you to shoot when we go to the range,” and added that the gun would belong to him once he turned 18 and graduated from high school.
Colt Gray is facing 55 counts, including murder for the deaths of four individuals—two teachers and two students—during a meticulously planned shooting at Apalachee High School on September 4, 2024. He also wounded several others in the attack, leading to an overwhelming amount of grief and outrage within the community.
Colin Gray himself faces serious charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. His trial, now in its second week, has brought attention to the complexities of parental responsibility in the context of gun access. Testimony from the boy’s mother, Marcee Gray, highlighted concerns she raised about securing firearms to prevent access by their son, especially given his known struggles.
As the trial unfolded, Colin Gray exhibited emotional turmoil, particularly when questioned about any warning signs of his son’s potential for violence. He struggled to reconcile his perception of Colt with the actions taken during the shooting, emphasizing the disconnect between the son he knew and the behavior that resulted in tragedy.
The prosecution presented surveillance footage from the day of the shooting, depicting Colt boarding a school bus with the rifle concealed in his backpack. The scenes captured inside the school illustrated the moments leading up to the chaos. In poignant testimony, students shared their harrowing experiences during the attack, describing panic and bloodshed.
Additionally, evidence was introduced suggesting that Colt had an unsettling fascination with other school shootings, including a “shrine” to the Parkland shooter, Nikolas Cruz, further underlining the troubling aspects of his mindset leading up to the tragic events.
The trial highlights the significant questions being raised about the responsibilities of parents in ensuring that firearms do not fall into the hands of those who could use them for harm. As the case progresses, it serves as a painful reminder of the implications of gun access and the profound outcomes that can arise from such decisions. While the heartache continues for the families affected by the shooting, the trial has opened a crucial dialogue regarding safety, mental health, and the role of responsible gun ownership.