The teenager who opened hearth at his Georgia highschool in September 2024, killing two students and two teachers, will seem in court docket later this month for a “non-negotiated plea and sentencing hearing,” in accordance to court docket documents, indicating that he intends to change his plea to responsible.
Colt Gray beforehand pleaded not responsible and is anticipated to seem in court docket for a change-of-plea listening to on July 24. His trial had been tentatively set for October.
Now 16, Colt faces 55 counts, together with costs of felony homicide, malice homicide and aggravated assault for every of the 4 victims.
NCS has reached out to Gray’s legal professional and the Barrow County District Attorney’s Office for remark.
The costs stem from the mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on the morning of September 4, 2024.
Colt, then 14, introduced an assault-style rifle to college, hidden in his backpack, and made a number of regarding feedback to academics and oldsters that morning, in accordance to investigators who testified at his father’s murder trial earlier this yr.
School officers and useful resource officers went to intercept him and search his backpack, however in a stranger-than-fiction mix-up, they confused him with one other pupil named Kolton Gray, in accordance to testimony at his father’s prison trial.
Colt prepped his weapon in a rest room, investigators stated, then hid in a hallway earlier than opening hearth right into a classroom and at a number of individuals in the hallway. Confronted by officers, Colt laid down his weapon and surrendered, authorities stated. Teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie and college students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo have been killed.
Colt’s father, Colin Gray, was convicted in March on homicide and manslaughter costs and is anticipated to be sentenced later this month.
Prosecutors argued the boy’s father had exhibited “criminal negligence” by shopping for his son an AR-15 rifle as a Christmas present and leaving the weapon unsecured – regardless of prior warnings that his son was a hazard to others. Colin Gray’s protection workforce, in the meantime, argued he was unaware of his son’s violent plans and had taken steps to get him assist for his psychological well being troubles.
The jury deliberated for lower than two hours and convicted him on all 27 costs: Two counts of second-degree homicide, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, 18 counts of cruelty to youngsters and 5 counts of reckless conduct.
The trial laid out the small print of Colt’s tumultuous childhood, psychological well being issues and infatuation with college shooters.
The household was repeatedly investigated by the Department of Family and Children Services for Colt’s misbehavior in college and lack of attendance, together with lacking the whole thing of his Eighth-grade yr.
His mom, who hung out in jail and rehab due to drug dependancy, testified Colt repeatedly damaged their dwelling, broke TVs and minimize slits into furnishings. He was riddled with nervousness, simply agitated and had a panic assault, she stated. After the shooting, police discovered a montage of photographs of the Parkland college shooter in the teen’s room.
Colt had solely attended Apalachee High for a number of days earlier than he carried out the shooting.
This story has been up to date with extra data.