Police officials from Barrow County in Georgia held a press conference on Thursday evening to update the public about the ongoing investigation into Wednesday’s shooting at Apalachee High School, which left four people dead and nine others hospitalized.
The shooter, Colt Gray (14), was previously flagged as a threat by the FBI and law enforcement in May 2023.
Just moments before Gray’s Thursday night press conference, the news broke that his father, Colin Gray, 54, had been arrested.
Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations GBI, spoke first. He confirmed that Colin Gray was arrested. Hosey confirmed that the GBI, in coordination and cooperation with Brad Smith, has arrested Colin Gray (age 54) in connection with the Apalachee High School shooting.
Cole Gray’s father is Colin Gray. Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary homicide, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. These charges are a result of Mr. Gray’s allowing his son, Colt Gray, to possess a firearm. Colt Gray is facing four counts of felony homicide.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smit addressed the media following Hosey’s remarks and reiterated the call to support the community, students, teachers, and their families. He said he is happy to announce that all nine people who were treated in area hospitals after the shooting will make a complete recovery. This, he noted, is a testament to the medical staff that treated them. Two of the nine injured were teachers and adults; the remaining seven were students.
Smith praised the teachers again, whom he called heroes, for standing up to protect children.
