Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • ABC News

    Georgia shooting suspect's mom says son texted her that morning: 'I'm sorry'

    By Emily ShapiroDoug Lantz,

    18 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=27ucsC_0vRCn1k200

    The mother of Colt Gray , the 14-year-old suspected of opening fire at his Georgia high school , said she last heard from her son the morning of the shooting when he texted her, "I'm sorry, Mom."

    "His dad had actually gotten texts from him that basically said the same thing already that morning, about 15 minutes prior," Marcee Gray told ABC News. "One said, 'I'm sorry,' and one said, 'You're not to blame for this.'"

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2R82N6_0vRCn1k200
    Barrow County Sheriffs Office - PHOTO: Booking photo of Apalachee High School shooting suspect, Colt Gray, released by the Barrow County Sheriff's Office.
    MORE: Georgia shooting lasted about a minute after 26 teachers alerted authorities, sheriff says

    Marcee Gray said she was "petrified" by the texts to her husband and called the school, and that's when she received the "I'm sorry, Mom," message.

    "My concern for him had been building," she said.

    MORE: Apalachee survivor recounts moment shooting suspect came 'banging frantically' on her classroom door

    Marcee Gray said she'd called her son's school six days earlier because "I wanted Colt to be admitted to an impatient treatment. ... Colt was on board with it."

    Colt Gray is accused of killing two students and two teachers , and injuring nine others, at Apalachee High School on Wednesday.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ikRVe_0vRCn1k200
    Mike Stewart/AP - PHOTO: A memorial is seen at Apalachee High School after the Wednesday school shooting, Sept. 7, 2024, in Winder, Ga.
    MORE: Apalachee teacher fatally shot near doorway to his classroom: 'He was trying to crawl back to us'

    Marcee Gray said when she first heard about the shooting, she "fell to the ground and just started screaming. ... I knew what had happened, I just knew in my gut."

    Nearly one week later, she said her feelings range from "debilitating anxiety" to "guilt" to "disgust."

    "I still can't believe it happened," she said.

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3UnUcS_0vRCn1k200
    Mike Stewart/AP, FILE - PHOTO: A medical helicopter is seen in front of Apalachee High School after a shooting at the school, Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder, Ga.

    Marcee Gray said she wants the victims' families to know "how horrible I feel."

    "What happened to them and their sweet, innocent babies is just unfathomable," she said. "If I could take their place, I would. I would in a heartbeat."

    Marcee Gray said if she had the chance to talk to her son now, she'd tell him, "I love him," and, "It's not your fault." She did not say who she places the blame on.

    MORE: Georgia high school shooting suspect and his dad make 1st court appearances

    Colt Gray is charged with four counts of felony murder. More charges will be filed, prosecutors said.

    The teen's father, Colin Gray, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, the GBI said. He is accused of "knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon," GBI Director Chris Hosey said.

    MORE: Georgia high school shooting spotlights panic alert system: 'Probably saved a lot of lives'

    Investigators believe Colt Gray received the AR-style gun used in the shooting as a Christmas present from his father, according to sources.

    "I knew that my husband had numerous guns, but I didn't know that one was a specific Christmas present," Marcee Gray said. "It wasn't until after the shooting that I knew it was specifically Colt's gun. ... I was shocked."

    The father and son both made their first court appearances on Friday. Neither has entered a plea and both are set to return to court on Dec. 4.

    Expand All
    Comments / 44
    Add a Comment
    American Voter ~ ~I block Trolls
    6h ago
    What a huge TRAGEDY for literally everyone! No one is ever a near perfect parent, but gifting an underage kid with an AR 15 is the worst thing a parent can do whether they believe he’s unstable or not. My heart goes out to America for this gun happy National Shame.
    SATAN.IS.UR.DADDY
    7h ago
    His parents need to go to jail or executed for raising a fucking monster
    View all comments
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Local News newsLocal News

    Comments / 0