Trial for the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter begins in Georgia

+ Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu Newsletters NPR Shop Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music The Best Music of 2025 All Songs Considered Tiny Desk Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Fresh Air Up First Featured Embedded The NPR Politics Podcast Throughline Trump's Terms More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop The Best Music of 2025 All Songs Considered Tiny Desk Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Trial for the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter begins in Georgia The trial of Colin Gray, the father of the suspected Apalachee {app-uh-LATCH-ee} High School shooter, started Monday in Hall County, Georgia. National Trial for the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter begins in Georgia February 17, 20264:40 AM ET Heard on Morning Edition

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+ Trial for the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter begins in Georgia Listen &middot; 2:16 2:16 Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed "> <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5716088/nx-s1-9651751" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript

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+ STEVE INSKEEP, HOST: The trial has started for Colin Gray. He's the father of suspected Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray. Opening statements were Monday in northeast Georgia. Colin Gray has been charged with more than two dozen crimes, including second-degree murder, for providing the rifle used in that shooting. Georgia Public Broadcasting's Chase McGee has more. CHASE MCGEE, BYLINE: It's been nearly a year and a half since the town of Winder in northeast Georgia's Barrow County was devastated by the shooting at Apalachee High School. Two students and two teachers were killed and several others were injured. Chief Judge Nicholas Primm explained the charges that Colin Gray is facing, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct and cruelty to children. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) NICHOLAS PRIMM: He's charged with two counts of murder in the second degree, it being alleged that irrespective of malice, he did cause the death of Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, human beings, while in the commission of cruelty to children in the second degree. MCGEE: In the state's opening statement, Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith detailed warning signs about Colt that he says Colin Gray neglected to act on, like a collage dedicated to Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, threats made on online chat platforms, violent outbursts and self-harm. He also alleges that despite these warnings, Colin Gray provided his son with a semi-automatic rifle as a Christmas gift and then let him keep it in his room. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) BRAD SMITH: This is not a case about holding parents accountable for what their children do. That's not what this case is about. This case is about this defendant and his actions. MCGEE: He argues Gray's inaction amounts to negligence under Georgia law. But attorney Brian Hobbs says the defense has evidence that will demonstrate Gray was a caring father, who checked on his son and tried to get him help but was misguided by the then-14-year-old. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) BRIAN HOBBS: The evidence will show a teenager who was struggling mentally, a teenager who was deceptive, a teenager who hid his true intentions from everyone - from his family, from his counselor, from his siblings. MCGEE: ...And from his father. The trial's expected to last about three weeks. Colt Gray is expected to appear before a judge in mid-March. For NPR News, I'm Chase McGee in Winder, Georgia. Copyright &copy; 2026 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. Accuracy and availability of NPR transcripts may vary. Transcript text may be revised to correct errors or match updates to audio. Audio on npr.org may be edited after its original broadcast or publication. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. Facebook Flipboard Email Read & Listen Home News Culture Music Podcasts & Shows Connect Newsletters Facebook Instagram Press Public Editor Corrections Transcripts Contact & Help About NPR Overview Diversity NPR Network Accessibility Ethics Finances Get Involved Support Public Radio Sponsor NPR NPR Careers NPR Shop NPR Extra Terms of Use Privacy Your Privacy Choices Text Only Sponsor Message Sponsor MessageBecome

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