Teen Charged in Georgia School Shooting Shows New Look in Court

The teenager charged with a mass shooting at a Georgia high school appeared quite different in court on Tuesday, as seen in recent photos.

Colt Gray, who is now 15, was in handcuffs, his dark brown hair neatly slicked back. He wore a preppy outfit that included a quarter-zip sweater, a collared shirt, khakis, and glasses.

The baby-faced suspect looked almost unrecognizable compared to his previous appearance when he sported messy, bleached-orange hair that flowed just below his shoulders.

Attorney Aisha Broderick, appointed to represent Gray in October, mentioned in court that she is still awaiting the results of Gray’s medical evaluation. This evaluation is crucial as it will influence any upcoming motions from the defense and guide the case’s direction.

Media reports indicate that the evaluation should be finalized by the end of February.

In May, Gray’s previous attorney, Alphonso D. Craft, informed Judge Nick Primm that Gray was visiting a psychologist and was considering a guilty plea.

“It’s going to be okay now,” Craft stated during that hearing.

Details about why Gray switched legal representation remain unclear.

Gray is facing charges as an adult for the shooting that occurred on September 4, 2024, at Apalachee High School, resulting in the deaths of two teachers and two students.

The victims included educators Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimy, 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old.

Additionally, another teacher and eight students sustained injuries, with seven being directly hit by gunfire.

At 14, Gray was charged with 55 offenses, including murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault related to the four fatalities.

A grand jury also indicted Gray’s father, Colin, for allegedly gifting his son an AR-15-style rifle for Christmas. This weapon was used in the tragic incident.

Colin has been sentenced on 29 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and two of manslaughter. Both father and son are facing several charges of child abuse.

Charles Polhams, Gray’s maternal grandfather, remarked that Colin should be held largely responsible for the violence. “I spent 11 years with a son of a bitch who cried every day, and that could affect anyone,” Polhams, 81, reflected about his former son-in-law.

He labeled Colin as “evil,” adding that his family couldn’t seem to cope with their issues.

If convicted of his grave charges, Colin Gray might face a sentence of up to 180 years, while Colt Gray could potentially be sentenced to life in prison. Due to his age, however, he cannot receive the death penalty.

According to investigators, Colt brought the semi-automatic rifle, a gift from his father, aboard the school bus concealed in poster board.

He allegedly managed to exit his second-period class, then emerged from a restroom with the rifle, proceeding to shoot in both classrooms and hallways at the school, which has about 1,900 students.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Kelsey Ward revealed in court that the suspected shooter had also developed a “temple” for school shooters on his home computer.

Colt Gray is set to appear in court again on March 18.