Rifle used in Apalachee High School shooting purchased legally by father
Apalachee shooting: How did Colt Gray get a rifle?
We have more information tonight about the weapon used in last week’s deadly shootings at Apalachee High School, including where the AR-15-style rifle was purchased. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith tells us, accused killer Colt Gray’s father bought the gun legally. Colin Gray faces multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder.
BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities have revealed the origin of the AR-15-style rifle used in last week's fatal shooting at Apalachee High School, where two students and two teachers were killed, and nine others were injured. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed that the weapon was legally purchased by the father of the accused shooter, ninth-grader Colt Gray.
According to a family member, Colin Gray gave the rifle to his son as a Christmas gift. As a result, the father now faces multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter, for allegedly providing the gun.
Sheriff Smith disclosed that investigators believe Colt Gray managed to carry the rifle into the school by concealing it in a backpack, holding onto it until second period. "A young person brought a gun into a school, committed an evil act, and he took lives," Sheriff Smith said, affirming that the shooter acted alone without any accomplices.
WATCH: Accused Apalachee High School shooter, father questioned by Jackson County deputies
Colt Gray was questioned in 2023 for threats
Newly released body camera footage shows an interview last year between Colton Gray, his father and deputies who received word of threats made online to shoot up a middle school one year before Gray allegedly went on a shooting spree at Apalachee High School.
A federal law enforcement source informed FOX 5 that the father had purchased the rifle from Mike’s Gunroom, a store located approximately six miles from Apalachee High School and five miles from the Gray family’s residence. While the store's operator expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities, he declined to comment further to FOX 5.
Colin Gray legally purchased the firearm following a background check, according to Sheriff Smith. While state law prohibits minors from possessing handguns, there are no age restrictions for owning rifles in Georgia. However, individuals under 18 are barred from purchasing rifles from stores.
It remains unclear whether the weapon was disassembled to fit inside the backpack. Sheriff Smith suggested that Colt may have had the backpack with him when he left a second-period math class just before the shooting took place.
Investigators reportedly discovered writings in Colt Gray’s room at home, hinting at a fascination with other school shooters. "When someone preys on kids, it's tragic," Sheriff Smith said. "Hate is not going to prevail in our county and hate is not going to prevail in our state."
SEE ALSO: Accused Apalachee High School shooter’s troubled home life, potential warning signs
On Monday, Colt's grandfather spoke briefly with FOX 5, blaming Colin Gray for the tragedy, saying, "He’s totally responsible." When asked why Colt lived with his father while his siblings lived with their mother, the grandfather responded, "Good question."
Sheriff Smith added that Colt Gray had only attended Apalachee High School for three days before the shooting. Smith said whatever past Colt Gray brought with him, he wishes he'd "given Chee Nation a chance."
Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, 14, sits in the Barrow County courthouse for his first appearance, on Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Georgia. Colin Gray is being charged with involuntary manslaughter, second
Colin Gray was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Colt Gray was charged with four counts of felony murder.