Police Bodycam Footage Shows Georgia High School Murder Suspect Claiming Threats Against School Were 'Misheard' — After Father Admits 'We Do a Lot of Shooting'
Sept. 10 2024, Published 1:35 p.m. ET
Newly released video shows police questioning Colt Gray about online threats of a "school shooting" a year before he allegedly killed four at Apalachee High School in Georgia — while his father admitted to deputies that the teen had access to weapons and that "we do a lot of shooting," RadarOnline.com can reveal.
In the footage, two Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies can be seen questioning Gray — who was 13 at the time — and his dad, Colin Gray, in May 2023 after they received a tip from the FBI regarding possible online threats.
The video starts with Colin answering the door while wearing a green shirt and his underwear. The deputies tell him somebody from his “old address” was using Discord to threaten “to shoot up a school.”
The surprised father replies, “For real,” to which the officers tell him his name is connected to the address.
The deputies ask if there are any kids living with him and Colin, who is now wearing shorts and holding an energy drink, says, “Yeah, Colt Gray. He’s my oldest.”
An officer asks if his son plays “a lot of video games” and Colin says, “Yeah, he does. Like, all the time.”
The deputies ask if Colt is home and if there are “any weapons in the house that are accessible to him.”
“They are, I mean, there’s nothing loaded, but they are,” Colin replies. “We actually, we do a lot of shooting, we do a lot of deer hunting. He shot his first deer this year.”
- Minnesota Man, 31, Accused of Murdering Father 'Execution Style' in Front of His Uncle as They Ate In Hunting Cabin
- Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's Son Marius Borg Høiby Arrested on Suspicion of Rape 3 Months After 'Assault' on Woman
- Alleged Pedophile 'Exposed' After 20 Teens Banded Together to Lure Him to Park to Snare Him 'Trying to Meet Up With Minor'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
Colin then tells the deputies that he is in “shock” and “a little pissed off” regarding the allegations and that he “didn’t know anything about [Colt] saying s*** like that.”
The angry father then tells police, “I’m going to be mad as hell if he did, and all the guns will go away, and they won’t be accessible to him.”
He goes on to explain that he is “trying” to teach his son about “firearms and safety” and trying to get him “interested” in outdoor activities so he isn’t playing his video games as much.
Colin goes on to say that Colt understands the “seriousness of weapons and what they can do.” He also says he has talked to his son “quite a bit” about “school shootings” and if he’s “getting picked on at school,” which he says he is.
He then goes inside to get his son, who comes out wearing a baggy blue t-shirt, gray sweatpants and a baseball hat.
The officers ask if he has said something about a school shooting and Colt said, “Never, I just told him, I don’t know what, maybe they misheard somebody else, I don’t remember saying that.”
The officer tries to confirm, saying, “You never, ever said…” before Colt interjects, saying, “No sir, I swear.”
Police ask Colt if he uses Discord, which he says he does but it’s been a few months and he believes his account was hacked.
Colt then insists he never saw any threats of a shooting on the platform. The officer says, “I got no choice but to take you at your word,” but if he is lying, then it will be a “different story.”
Colt Gray was charged with four counts of murder and will be tried as an adult. He faces up to life in prison if found guilty. Since he is younger than 18 years old, the judge informed him he will not face the death penalty if convicted.
Colin Gray gave his son an AR-15-style rifle for Christmas — which is the weapon used in the mass shooting, officials said.
He was also arrested and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children after the deadly attack. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 180 years in prison.
Have a tip? Send it to us! Email RadarOnline.com at tips@radaronline.com.