Questions remain about how Colt Gray allegedly got the gun in the Apalachee High School shooting

Colt Gray, 14, and his father, Colin, appeared in court Friday to face charges in the killing of four people and wounding nine at Apalachee High School in Georgia, but questions remain about how the student obtained the gun he allegedly used to kill two students and two teachers on Wednesday.

One unanswered aspect of the case is the role Colin played in helping Colt obtain the AR weapon allegedly used in the attack. Colin, who is charged with manslaughter and premeditated murder, could be the third parent convicted in a child-driven school shooting. In April, Jennifer and James Crumbley, whose son Ethan killed four students at Oxford High School in Michigan in 2021, were sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for manslaughter. A judge said today Colin could face up to 180 years in prison if convicted.

What weapon was used in the Georgia school shooting?

In a press conference on Wednesday, officials confirmed that the shooter had used an AR-style rifle, a lightweight, semi-automatic weapon. AR-style rifles are among the most popular firearms in the U.S. and have been used in several other shootings, including the 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in July.

The Firearm Industry Trade Association defines the AR-15 as a sporting rifle. Its semi-automatic function means that the rifle is automatically reloaded after the shooter pulls the trigger to fire a shot. A fully automatic weapon continues to fire as long as the shooter keeps the trigger pulled.

Are AR-style rifles legal in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, minors are not allowed to own handguns. It is illegal for adults to “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” sell or provide a handgun to a minor. Federal law requires citizens to be over 18 to purchase shotguns, rifles, and ammunition. However, Georgia does not have a minimum age to own a rifle or shotgun.

How did the suspected shooter get the gun?

In justifying the charges, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated that Colt’s father, Colin, “knowingly permitted his son to possess a firearm.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, the GBI could not release any further details, including whether Colin had given the gun to his son, as some media reported.

Why is it significant that Colin Gray gave his son a gun?

Authorities began investigating the Grays in May 2023 after receiving information that Colt may have made online threats to commit a robbery at an unnamed middle school in Jackson County, Georgia.

During that investigation, according to the police report obtained by Yahoo News, Colin was warned by authorities to keep his hunting rifles under surveillance near Colt, whose name was linked to the online threats. Colt denied the allegations at the time.

Colin assured authorities in 2023 that Colt did not have “unrestricted access” to the weapons.

What we know about the survivors

According to the GBI, nine people were injured in the shooting – eight students and one teacher. The GBI also said that of those nine people, one adult and six students were shot. Although some are still hospitalized, all nine surviving victims are expected to make full recoveries.

One victim, David Phenix, works in curriculum consulting and as a golf coach. Both Phenix’s wife, Leesa Wells Phenix, and his daughter have posted about David’s condition on Facebook. Leesa Phenix wrote early Friday morning that her husband had no complications after two surgeries and was stable.

“He was shot twice; both shots missed ALL organs and veins or arteries. His upper hip bone (pelvic bone – think of the flat part that forms the hip) was shattered, but the surgeon was able to put the three larger pieces together,” Lessa said in her post. “His foot was shot right through in an area where there was no bone or tendon. Best case scenario!”

Phenix lived next door to Richard Aspinwall, who also left his classroom after hearing noises in the hallway. Both were shot, and Phenix’s wounds were treated by his co-teacher and two students. Aspinwall did not survive his injuries and died Wednesday.

The city of Winder, Georgia, where Apalachee High School is located, will hold a vigil called “A Light in the Darkness” on Friday evening to remember all victims, dead and alive, according to an announcement from the city on Facebook.

“At this event, a memorial service will be held to pay respect to the deceased and the families affected,” the city wrote in its event post.