Father, son both charged with murder for school shooting

A jury in Barrow County, Ga. on Thursday indicted the 14-year-old suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting on 55 counts such as felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children. His charge of felony murder is punishable by the death penalty. His father was also indicted on charges including second-degree murder. The teenage shooter killed two fellow students and two teachers in addition to injuring nine others on Sept. 4. The case involves a total of 25 victims, which include the four people who were killed and 21 others who were either physically injured or emotionally impacted, said District Attorney Brad Smith. The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

What about the shooter’s father? The jury on Thursday indicted Colin Gray, 54, on 29 charges that include second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless conduct. Officers arrested Gray the day after the shooting. Authorities have said he allowed his son to have a gun. Georgia law allows parents or caretakers to be charged with second-degree cruelty to children. Under the law, authorities must prove they were criminally negligent by failing to keep a gun out of the reach of children.

The father and son are scheduled for a Nov. 21 arraignment where they are expected to enter their pleas. Gray is lodged at the Barrow County Jail while his son is being held in a juvenile detention center.

What evidence was presented in the hearing? A state agent told the court Wednesday that the suspect brought a long gun to school by cleverly concealing it. The suspect also allegedly brought a notebook to school that contained the plans for the shooting, the agent said. Meanwhile, prosecutors claim that Gray knew his son was obsessed with school shooters and that his mental health had deteriorated. Officials say Gray gave his son the assault-style weapon used in the shooting as a Christmas gift.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about the initial charges.