On September 6, 2024, in Winder, Georgia, Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, 14, appeared in the Barrow County courthouse for the first time. He is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree murder and cruelty to children.

His son opened fire at the high school, resulting in the death of four individuals and the injury of nine, including seven students who are expected to recover fully. A year ago, local investigators had interviewed Gray and his son regarding alleged online threats made by the teen about shooting up a school, which Colt denied.

The specific charge of cruelty to children in the second degree is relatively new. “If you commit cruelty to children in the second degree that causes death, that is second-degree murder,” Colin Gray told CNN.