Georgia School Shooter Charged with Four Murders

On September 4, 2024, 14-year-old Colt Gray carried an assault-style rifle in his backpack into Apalachee High School, where he fatally shot two students and two teachers, and injured nine others. Gray had asked a teacher for permission to leave his classroom, after which he concealed himself in a restroom before commencing the shooting. Gray has been charged with four counts of felony murder, while his father, Colin Gray, faces multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, for allegedly allowing his son access to the rifle. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the rifle was a gift to Colt, and he will be tried as an adult. In response to the tragedy, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns called for improved gun safety and mental health measures, highlighting failures in communication that allowed the shooter’s history to go unnoticed. Both Colt and Colin Gray are scheduled for a court appearance on December 4, 2024, with a grand jury set to consider formal charges on October 17.