Colin Gray Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Criminal Negligence in Son's School Shooting
Colin Gray was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday for his role in the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting. The court ruled that Gray was responsible for the crimes of his teenage son, Colt Gray, who killed four people and injured seven others. The conviction was based on criminal negligence, as Gray purchased an AR-15-style rifle for his son as a Christmas gift and left it unsecured in a closet. Judge Nicholas Primm noted that while Gray did not intentionally plan the attack, his failure to provide a safe environment for his son contributed to the major incident. Prosecutors had requested an 80-year sentence, while the defense requested 20 years. The sentencing marks a landmark case in holding parents of juvenile mass shooters accountable. Gray's son, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without parole just two days prior. The Georgia Department of Corrections will house the father and son in separate facilities to avoid housing related inmates together.