Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Father Charged in School Shooting Case

Tue Feb 10 2026 01:13:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Colin Gray faces multiple charges, including murder and cruelty to children, related to the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, where his son Colt is accused of taking four lives.

As jury selection starts in the trial of Colin Gray, fallout from the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School reverberates in the community. Gray faces 29 counts for allegedly providing his son access to weapons after recognizing his violent tendencies. Meanwhile, Colt Gray, the accused shooter, awaits his trial with significant counts against him, raising the issue of parental responsibility in youth violence.

ATLANTA (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of Colin Gray, a father accused of criminal negligence in the wake of a school shooting at Apalachee High School that left two teachers and two students dead, as his son Colt Gray is charged with the killings.

Colin Gray faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The charges stem from allegations that he enabled his son to access firearms despite knowing of Colt's dangerous behavior. Reports indicate that he had prior knowledge of his son's obsession with school shootings and his declining mental health.

In the tragic incident on September 4, 2024, two teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, and two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, were shot dead. Another teacher and eight students sustained injuries, highlighting the severe implications of gun access among minors.

The Allegations

Testimonies from investigations reveal that Colin Gray purchased a semi-automatic rifle for Colt as a gift, further illustrating a failure to recognize the serious risks associated with his son's behavior, which included planning the shooting meticulously. Investigators found detailed plans detailing tactics for the attack.

Colin's awareness of Colt's fixation on violence and previous consultations with mental health services provoke critical discussions about parental responsibility regarding children's access to weapons and mental health awareness.

The Trial

The trial is set to take place in Barrow County, but jury selection will occur in Gainesville to ensure an impartial jury amid significant media coverage and community outrage. Colin Gray's defense team raised concerns about potential bias among potential jurors exposed to extensive media reporting about the case.

Colin has remained in custody since his arrest post-shooting, with a bond set at $500,000. As the community processes the trauma of the tragedy, the case against both father and son raises poignant questions regarding accountability in instances of youth violence.

National Context

This situation reflects a growing trend in the U.S. to hold parents legally accountable for their child's actions when evidence suggests lack of supervision or responsible gun ownership. Cases like that of Jennifer and James Crumbley from Michigan serve as precedents, illustrating the legal system's stance on parental responsibility over minors' access to violence.