Father of Suspected High School Shooter Arrested

These charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son … to possess a weapon.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey on the arrest of the father of the 14-year-old shooter charged with committing multiple murders on September 4th at Apalachee High School.

Why It Matters: The arrest of a parent of a minor involved in a school shooting remains a rare event – The Washington Post calls these charges, “the most severe ever filed against the parent of an alleged school shooter.” The arrest of the 54-year-old father highlights a growing trend related to high school shootings where a minor is involved and the parents *also* charged. He faces multiple charges: four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, eight counts of cruelty to children.

The victims in this case include:

Mason Schermerhorn, 14
Christian Angulo, 14
Richard Aspinwall, 39
Christina Irimie, 53

Nine other people were injured (eight students, one teacher) and are expected to make a full recovery, according to law enforcement.

More Context: “The charges come just months after a mother and father in Michigan became the first parents of a school shooter ever convicted of involuntary manslaughter, a less severe crime than second-degree murder. Investigators found that, in November 2021, James and Jennifer Crumbley had bought their 15-year-old son a gun, didn’t lock it up and ignored blatant warning signs before he opened fire at Oxford High in Michigan, killing four students. In separate trials, each was found guilty and sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison, the maximum allowed.” (The Washington Post)