Father of teenager who opened fire, killing 4 people at US school, arrested

Colin Gray, 54, is charged with four counts of manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of crimes against children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

People commemorate the victims of the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, USA. Photo: Reuters.

"These allegations stem from Gray's knowledge of but acceptance of his son, Colt, in possession of a firearm," Chris Hosey, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said at a press conference.

Teenager Colt Gray has been charged with four felony counts of murder and will be tried as an adult, according to officials.

Both Gray and his father were questioned by local officials in neighboring Jackson County last year in connection with an online threat to carry out a school shooting, but there was insufficient evidence to arrest them, the FBI announced Wednesday.

Investigators from the state of Georgia and Barrow County say Colt Gray used an "AR-based platform" semi-automatic rifle to carry out the attack that killed two teachers and two 14-year-old students. It remains unclear how the perpetrator obtained this weapon.

Investigators have yet to announce the possible motive for the mass shooting at a school, the first in a U.S. school year since the start of the academic year. Colt Gray was arrested immediately after the shooting and is being held in custody.

The charges against Colin Gray come after the parents of a Michigan high school shooter were convicted in April, reportedly the first time parents have been held legally responsible for their children's actions in a school shooting.

In that case, Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of Ethan Crumbley – who shot and killed four classmates at Oxford High School in 2021 – were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter. The jury found them guilty of failing to safely store firearms in their home and ignoring warning signs that their son was suffering from mental health issues.

Experts and gun safety advocates say these trials are an important step in holding gun-owning parents more accountable for school violence perpetrated by their children. Studies by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicate that in approximately 75% of all school shootings, the perpetrators obtained their weapons at home.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bat-bo-cua-thieu-nien-xa-sung-khien-4-nguoi-thiet-mang-o-truong-hoc-my-post310828.html