Colt Gray Pleads Guilty to 55 Charges Following Deadly Georgia High School Shooting
Colt Gray, a 16-year-old teenager, pleaded guilty to 55 charges, including four counts of murder, for the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School. The attack resulted in the deaths of students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie. During the sentencing hearing, forensic psychologist Dr. Kevin Richards testified that Gray grew up in a chaotic, dysfunctional household marked by drug use and frequent moves. Richards noted that Gray was deeply immersed in online communities obsessed with mass shootings, particularly emulating the Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz. While Gray admitted to mental health issues, Richards testified that the teen often exaggerated his symptoms online to gain attention. Prosecutors also presented evidence of Gray's meticulous planning, including notebooks and drawings of the school. The court heard emotional impact statements from victims' families, many of whom requested a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The hearing continues as Judge Nicholas Primm prepares to deliver a final sentence. Meanwhile, Gray's father, Colin Gray, faces sentencing later this week for his role in providing the firearm.
Sources
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Georgia school shooter Colt Gray wanted infamy and school shooter’s attention, messages show
CNN
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Sentencing hearing underway for Apalachee HS shooter
FOX 5 Atlanta
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Colt Gray pleads guilty in shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia
BBC
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Georgia school shooter had a chaotic childhood and was fixated on mass killings, psychologist says
AP News
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Sentencing hearing underway for teen who admitted killing four at Georgia high school
WEAR-TV