Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) special agents offered new information about Colt Gray, the 14-year-old accused of killing four at Apalachee High School on September 4, during a Wednesday hearing in the case against the teen’s father, Colin Gray, who faces second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and cruelty to children charges for allegedly giving his son the rifle authorities say was used at the school.
Investigators stated that Colt Gray left a note for his family at his father’s home, owned at least four notebooks with drawings and writings that related to school shootings or the September 4 attack, and created a “shrine” with more than a dozen photographs and news clippings from previous attacks on schools.
The teen hid the “shrine” behind a computer in the home of Colin Gray (pictured above), where it was found by investigators after the attack.
GBI Special Agent Lucas Beyer testified that Colt Gray wrote detailed plans for the attack in a notebook that was left in his classroom just before prosecutors say the teen began shooting, revealing he allegedly planned to kill up to 26 people.
“Walk from first to the bathroom, so I’ll set my bag down, open it, put on a vest, take a moment or two to stay calm and really think about if I want to do this,” wrote Colt Gray, according to Beyer.
Agents revealed Colt Gray is accused of concealing the rifle used for the attack in his backpack using a poster board, then using the same poster board after retrieving the rifle and while returning to his classroom.
Upon finding the door locked, Colt Gray allegedly chose another classroom for his attack.
Beyer stated that Colt Gray’s notebook included plans for the teen to, “Take out the poster covering the rifle, take out rifle and prop it against the stall. Vest should be on at this point, get out gloves, put them on, they are in your backpack,” before zipping the backpack and checking his ammunition. zip up backpack, check mag slots.”
He further is accused of writing instructions to “Turn on your red dot, aim down at the floor. Make sure your sight is on,” and a reminder not to “shoot anyone in the bathroom. You’ll alert people.”
GBI Special Agent Kelse Ward testified that Colt Gray had two more notebooks that contained written and drawn references to school shootings.
Ward said Colt Gray drew stick figures that appeared to be wounded by gunshots, with one labeled “gut shot,” another appearing “to have a head wound,” and another “yelling in horror.”
She stated, “Then it shows his stick figure again with the word ‘suicide’ and a smiley face written.” According to Ward, the stick figure depicts Colt Gray “shooting himself.”
Another drawing allegedly depicted “a rifle with what appears to be ammunition coming out of it. And then the word ‘kids’ written past the ammunition.”
Ward also revealed the contents of the letter. Authorities say Colt Gray left his family prior to the attack.
“Just know it’s not your fault. You’ve tried your hardest, not only for me, but for Jenny and Coley. Forgive me as for what I’ve done. It’s out of my control. Know that I love y’all. See ya,” Colt Gray wrote, according to Ward.
The investigator also confirmed the contents of the text messages Colt Gray allegedly sent family members before the attack.
Colt Gray reportedly sent his father at 9:42 a.m., “I’m sorry, it’s not your fault. Know I love you. You’re not to blame for any of it.”
Ward said he sent his mother a second text at 9:50 a.m., similarly saying, “I’m sorry. ”
Both Colt Gray and Colin Gray remain behind bars as their cases proceed. Colt Gray is charged with four counts of felony murder, while his 54-year-old father is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Watch the complete court hearing for Colin Gray:
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
