The Apalachee High School shooting and the cases against Colt and Colin Gray

Within two days of the shooting, authorities charged Colin Gray with two counts of second-degree murder, four of manslaughter and eight of cruelty to children.^[8][9] Authorities had interviewed Colt Gray a year earlier about a threatening online post, which he denied making,^[10] and his aunt said his mother had called the school to warn a counselor before the attack.^[11] The school's emergency call center was overwhelmed with calls that day.^[12] In October a grand jury indicted father and son on murder and other charges,^[13] and Colt Gray pleaded not guilty.^[14] Students returned to the school in late September.^[2]

Colin Gray's trial in February 2026 heard from Colt's grandmother, and Colin Gray testified in his own defense.^[15][16] In March a jury convicted him of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.^[6] In July Colt Gray pleaded guilty as surviving victims confronted him in court,^[3] prosecutors played jail calls in which he discussed his notoriety with his mother,^[17] and a judge sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole.^[4] Two days later his father was sentenced to 15 years.^[7]