The teen accused of fatally shooting four people at his Georgia high school appeared in court Friday along with his father, and both were told that they face a lifetime behind bars if convicted on separate charges in Wednesday’s attack.
Colt Gray, who is charged as an adult at age 14, sat motionless while being informed by a Barrow County Superior Court judge that, if convicted, he faces life in prison with or without parole for each of the four counts of felony murder against him.
The teen was initially told that he could face the death penalty, but the judge later clarified that because he’s under 18 he would not face death.
His father, Colin Gray, appeared minutes later in the same Winder courtroom, where he was told that he faces a maximum sentence of 180 years in prison if convicted on all counts against him. He is charged with four counts of felony involuntary manslaughter, two counts of felony second-degree murder, and eight counts of second-degree cruelty to children.
The 54-year-old rocked back and forth in his seat while listening to the judge. He appeared to sniffle while being presented with paperwork by his attorney.
Authorities said Colin Gray knowingly allowed his son to have access to the semiautomatic assault-style rifle that was used in Wednesday’s shooting at Apalachee High School, which also left nine wounded.
This follows the FBI revealing that last year the father and son were investigated over claims that the then 13-year-old had made online threats about a school shooting. That investigation ended without any charges or arrests being made.
