Georgia jury convicts father of second degree murder for teen son’s high school shooting rampage

A jury found Colin Gray guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter for providing the rifle used by his son in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 7:39 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Fox News

Verdict in Barrow County Superior Court

Colin Gray, the 54 year old father of accused Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, was convicted on Tuesday of multiple felony charges related to the deadly attack. The jury returned a verdict of guilty for two counts of second degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. Following the announcement, Gray was immediately handcuffed and remanded into custody. He faces a maximum potential sentence of 180 years in prison, with a formal sentencing hearing to be scheduled at a later date.

Legal basis for second degree murder

Under Georgia state law, a charge of second degree murder is applicable when an individual causes the death of a child while committing the crime of second degree cruelty to children. The jury determined that Gray’s actions directly contributed to the deaths of 14 year old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Additionally, Gray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter regarding the deaths of teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie. The verdict also included multiple counts of reckless conduct and second degree cruelty to children.

Evidence of criminal negligence

The prosecution’s case centered on the argument that Colin Gray exhibited a willful disregard for public safety by facilitating his son’s access to firearms. Evidence presented during the trial showed that Gray purchased an AR-15 style rifle as a Christmas gift for his son in 2023. This purchase occurred after local law enforcement had already interviewed the family regarding online threats of a school shooting. Prosecutors argued that Gray continued to provide ammunition and access to the weapon despite being acutely aware of his son’s deteriorating mental health and lack of inpatient treatment.