The father of Georgia high school shooting suspect Colt Gray is drawing scrutiny after an exchange between police and his son at their home appeared to foreshadow the fatal events to come.
In recently released police bodycam footage, Colin Gray, the father of then 13-year-old Colt Gray, appears visibly shocked as officers question him regarding his son’s alleged threat to shoot up a middle school in May 2023. During the exchange, police confronted Colin about a report that someone from their address had made a serious threat.
“Dude, just, Hey Colt, what’s going on bud?” the officer can be heard saying, addressing Colt directly. “Somebody from your old address over there in traditions… made a threat to shoot up [the] school.”
Colin Gray, seemingly taken aback, responded with disbelief. “For real? Yes sir. Tell me what you have.” He went on to identify Colt as his son and confirmed that Colt was 13 years old.
When asked if there were any weapons in the house accessible to Colt, Colin confirmed, “I do.”
He then added, “I mean, there’s nothing loaded, but they are now, actually.” He explained that their family engages in shooting and hunting activities, and Colt had shot his first deer earlier that year. He then continued to seemingly deny the violent threat may have manifested from his son.
“I’m pretty much in shock to be honest with you,” he said. “Well, I’m a little p##### off to be even really honest with you.”
Despite his surprise, Colin eventually acknowledged the seriousness of the threat.
“I don’t know anything about him saying like that,” he said. “And I’m going to be mad as hell if he did. And then all the guns will go away and they won’t be accessible to him. I’m trying to be honest with you… It’s no joke.”
Colin reiterated that he often talks with his son about school shootings and firearm safety.
“All the school shootings, things that happened, all scary… You getting picked on at school?” Colin asked, noting that Colt had been bullied.
As the conversation shifted to Colt, the 13-year-old denied ever making the threat. “I just told them… maybe they misheard somebody else,” Colt said. “I never said… no sir.”
The officer, while maintaining a calm tone, emphasized the gravity of the situation.
“It’s a serious thing… If you look me in the eye and you tell me that’s what you’re telling me, I got no choice but take at your word right now,” the officer stated, cautioning that if they found out otherwise, “it’s a really different story.”
This footage has resurfaced in light of the recent tragic shooting at Alapachee High School, where Colt Gray is suspected of opening fire on several students earlier this week. Authorities have since taken Colt into custody, and an investigation is underway into his past behavior and any signs that may have pointed toward his violent outburst. Many are now questioning whether the earlier warning signs were missed in the months leading up to the shooting.
Watch the full footage of the exchange between Colin, Colt and the police below.