by Sharon Rondeau
(Sep. 5, 2024) — As announced Thursday evening, a press conference was held at 8:00 p.m. EDT in Winder, GA announcing the arrest of the father of a 14-year-old student who opened fire on the Apalachee High School on Wednesday, wounding nine and killing four.
The student, Colt Gray, and father, Colin Gray, are both charged with “murder,” while “involuntary manslaughter” and “cruelty to children” are also charged to the father, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Chris Hosey reported, due to “knowingly allowing his son to possess a weapon.”
In April, the parents of Oxford High School in Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley, then 15, were convicted of “involuntary manslaughter” as a result of, as reported by the Associated Press, “not securing the newly purchased gun at home and acting indifferently to signs of their son’s deteriorating mental health.”
James and Jennifer Crumbley each received sentences of between 10 and 15 years after having served 2.5 years in jail after their arrests.
Ethan was convicted of murder and is serving life in prison.
Apalachee is located in Barrow County, which has closed all of its schools until at least Monday.
Those who lost their lives Wednesday are two teachers and two 14-year-old students now memorialized on the school website’s home page.
An update posted at the school website reads:
The Barrow County School System would like thank everyone for the outpouring of support.
All Barrow County Schools will be closed Thursday, 9/5 and Friday, 9/6.
Grief counselors are available at the Barrow County School System Central Office on 9/5 and 9/6 from 8 am to 4 pm, located at 179 W Athens Street.
The Barrow Community Foundation, a local non-profit agency, has been a valued partner of the Barrow County School System (BCSS) for several years.
The Barrow Community Foundation has established a designated fund, the “Barrow Community Crisis Fund,” to collect donations and support those in need during this time.
If you are interested in supporting our community during this time, please fill out the forms below and we will be in contact.
Additional Resources for Families:
We will update this page as more information becomes available.