By Blake Wolf, OAN Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 2:40 PM
Marcie Gray, the mother of Georgia high school shooting suspect Colt Gray, has released an open letter apologizing to the victims' families while insisting that her son is “not a monster.”
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Colt is charged with four counts of felony murder in the deaths of two Apalachee High School teachers, 53-year-old Christina Irimy, 39-year-old Richard Aspinwall, and two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to the parents and families of the victims of the tragic incident at Apalachee High School,” Marcy Gray wrote. “If I could take Mason and Christian's place, I would do so without hesitation.”
“We are all living a nightmare right now and I will never forgive myself for what happened,” she continued. “My son Colt is not a monster. He is my oldest child. He is quiet, thoughtful, caring, funny and incredibly smart. Please pray for him and our family. I pray for you all every moment of every day.”
The letter was made public one week after the shooting that left nine unidentified people injured, as well as two students and two teachers dead.
It was also revealed days after the shooting that the boy's mother had “alerted school officials” at least “30 minutes before” the deadly attack.
Marcy Gray alerted a school counselor the morning of the shooting after receiving a text message from her son saying, “I'm sorry.” Many have argued that if she had automatically understood what her son was referring to in the “I'm sorry” message, she may well have been complacent in the killing.
“The counselor said, 'Early this morning, one of Colt's teachers texted me and said Colt mentioned a school shooting,'” Marcy Gray said. “Based on my instincts and the text message and this email, you have to run to the classroom.”
Authorities allege Colt began firing shots about 30 minutes after Marcy's warning.
Colt was later arrested after a confrontation with school security guards and is currently in custody.
Colt's father, Colin, had previously purchased an AR-15 rifle for his son, the same weapon used in the murder, and was subsequently charged with manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of child abuse.
Colt's “unstable” upbringing was also revealed, with Marcy Gray being arrested multiple times for drugs and domestic violence, eventually losing custody of Colt and their other children.
Colt lived with his father, who was also described as dysfunctional, and Colt's relatives claim that he and his father argued frequently.
“He would call Colt abusive things to his face,” a relative of Colt's mother alleged, “calling him names that no little boy wants to hear: sissy, sissy, bitch… names meant to tear him down and take away his manhood.”
Colt and his father, Collin, declined to accept the plea deal at their first court appearance on September 6th.NumberThey are being held without bail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 4.Number.
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