Authorities in Georgia have released bodycam footage of a May 2023 interview Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy and the alleged Apalachee High School shooter and his father.
Jackson County, GeorgiaSheriff’s deputies spoke face-to-face with the boy who is now charged with murder in the killing of four people at Apalachee High School in Winder. The public defender representing both Collin and Colt Gray did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment.
The footage reveals sheriff’s deputies’ conversations from May 21, 2023, when suspect Colt Gray, then 13, was tipped off by the FBI about a threat of a shooting at a middle school on the messaging app Discord, which is popular among some video gamers.
Police can be seen knocking on the door of Gray’s home, where they are greeted by a stunned Coleen Gray, who is in his underwear and a T-shirt.
Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, speaks to police in Georgia in May 2023. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)
The officers said they were following up on a complaint, and added that they had previously been to his old address, and Collin asked if he could get dressed before beginning the interview.
Colin then reappears dressed, apologising for the delay, and says he was watching a golf tournament when he opened a drink and was asked by the police if he had a son.
When the officers explain the reason for their visit and ask Colin about his son, he warns that Colt’s face will “turn all red” when they question him.
When police began questioning Colin, he gave more details about Gray’s home life and the allegation, saying the visit was “nonsense” and a terrorist threat.
“He’s been through a lot … it’s really hard for him to go to school and not get upset,” Colleen said. “(Colt) has been through a lot.”
Collin remains calm and tells the officers Colt’s history and that he has had a very difficult time. He goes on to say that he and Colt’s mother got divorced and that they were evicted.
“He struggled with the separation at first. I’ve been taking him to school. He goes to Jefferson Middle School. He’s doing really well,” Collin said.
The officer acknowledged the seriousness of the visit and Colin agreed, saying that Colt “knows how serious this is, trust me.”
“(Colt) just wants us to have a simple life. He should be excited to go into 8th grade. It was really hard for him to go to school and not hear anybody criticize him, you know, he went from one thing to the next, you know, he was talking to some of his friends,” Gray said.
Colin Gray told officers there were weapons in his home, but they were not loaded. (Jackson County Sheriff’s Office)
Collin claims he has been to the school multiple times, and blames it on other kids touching his son, and says Colt wanted to move out of the school district.
Collin then claimed he is constantly targeted and talked about the importance of gun safety.
The officer asked, “I want to ask you this – do you have any weapons in your home?”
“I do,” says Colin.
The officer then asks, “Are they accessible?”
Colt Gray, who has been charged with four counts of murder as an adult, sits in Barrow County Court during his first appearance since the Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Georgia, on Friday, September 6. (AP Photo/Brin Anderson)
“They’re…I mean nothing’s loaded, but they’re…we shoot a lot, we hunt a lot of deer. He killed his first deer this year,” says Colin. “I’m pretty shocked…I’m pretty upset, to be honest.”
“I’m a little surprised by the whole thing, but let me tell you, I take it very seriously and he takes it seriously too,” Colin says.
“I don’t know why he’s saying that crap. And I’m going to be so angry if he does, and then all the guns are gone and he won’t be able to use them,” Colin adds. “You know, I’m trying to be honest. I’m trying to teach him about firearms and safety and how to do all that and trying to get him interested in the outside world.”
The officer responded, “Take him away from the video games.”
“Yeah. Exactly. Right. It’s the best. In fact, the picture I have on my phone is of him with blood on his cheeks when he killed a deer for the first time. It’s the best day ever,” says Colin. “So he definitely understands the seriousness of weapons and what they can do and how to use them and how not to use them.”
“So it’s kind of a little bit shocking. So whatever you’re telling him, please explain to him that whatever this is or wherever some people are coming from it’s not a joke. No, it’s not a joke,” Colin added.
“We wouldn’t be here,” the official said.
Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray and father appear in court for separate hearings
Collin Gray, 54, the father of 14-year-old Colt Gray, the shooter at Apalachee High School, made his first appearance in Barrow County Court in Winder, Georgia on Friday, September 6. (AP Photo/Brin Anderson)
,No, I know, I know, and I’m just telling you we talk about this a lot. All the school shootings, things that happen. Yeah, I heard you’re getting harassed at school. He is. He’s getting harassed at school. And. Is everything okay? So I keep going over there. No. You know, because you never know. And I don’t want anything to happen to him, so. Yeah. Yeah,” Collin finished.
Colt then appears on the porch with officers wearing blue T-shirts and sweatpants and blue hats.
Collin tells his son, “These are good people, they’ll tell you what’s going on.”
Colt keeps his hands in his pockets, uneasily answering the officers’ questions. He avoids eye contact with the officers and swears he didn’t threaten to shoot up the school and even says “they must have misheard someone else.”
The officer seems to believe Colt, and they even laugh about people lying to the police.
The suspected attacker has been identified as 14-year-old student Colt Gray. (Barrow County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities have identified Colt Gray (now 14). the shooter who killed Two students and two teachers were assaulted at Apalachee High School. Gray surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody following the violence. He is being tried as an adult.
Colt’s father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, has also been charged in connection with the school shooting. He faces four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Georgia is one of 42 states across the country that provides equal opportunities for parents criminally responsible On behalf of your children.
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Authorities claimed Collin knew and allowed his son Colt to keep his weapons in the home prior to Wednesday’s shooting.
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Behar contributed to this report.
