Father of suspected Apalachee High School shooter requests change of venue for trial

Published: Mar. 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM EDT
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ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Colin Gray, the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter, has requested that his trial take place outside of Barrow County.

On Sunday, Colin’s legal counsel filed a motion for a change of venue, claiming the case’s high-profile nature and widespread media coverage have biased local jurors against him.

“The alleged victims were well-known citizens [of] this county with high public visibility and their alleged murder evokes great ion and prejudice in this community,” the motion said.

Bond granted for father of suspect in fatal Georgia high school shooting

A judge has granted bond for the father of the alleged shooter in the deadly September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School.

Holding the trial in Barrow County, the motion argues, would violate Colin’s right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.

Colin Gray faces two counts of second-degree murder, 19 counts of second-degree cruelty to children, two counts of involuntary manslaughter and four counts of reckless conduct. He has pled not guilty.

Law enforcement said Colin gave his son, 14-year-old Colt Gray, access to the AR-style rifle used in the deadly shooting.

Colin was granted a $500,000 bond in February, with the condition that he not witnesses.

Meanwhile, Colt faces more than 50 charges, including felony and malice murder. He has also pleaded not guilty.

On Sept. 4, 2024, a shooter opened fire inside Apalachee High School, killing four people and hospitalizing nine others.

The dead were identified as teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie and 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.

Victims of the Apalachee High School shooting (from left to right): Apalachee High School...
Victims of the Apalachee High School shooting (from left to right): Apalachee High School teacher Richard Aspinwall, student Mason Schermerhorn, student Christian Angulo and Apalachee High School teacher Cristina Irimie.(WANF)

Colin faces the harshest charges ever brought against the parent of a suspected school shooter.