Georgia authorities have released audio from a 2023 visit to the home of a Georgia high school shooting suspect after an anonymous report to the FBI surfaced of an online threat in a group chat on the messaging app Discord that “may have threatened to shoot up a middle school.”
Sheriffs in Jackson County, Georgia, met in person Wednesday with the juvenile now charged with felony murder in the quadruple murder deaths at Apalachee High School in Winder.
In a detailed investigation report dated May 21, 2023, deputies described interactions that took place after they received a tip from the FBI about a threat made by suspect Colt Gray, 13, on Discord, a messaging app popular among some video gamers, to shoot up a middle school.
As police began questioning Colin Gray, his father gave further details about Gray's home life and the allegations, describing the visit as “bullshit” and a terrorist threat.
“He's having a really hard time… it's very difficult for him to go to school without being bullied,” Collin said.
Collin told officers that she and Colt's mother had gotten divorced and that she had been evicted.
“At first he struggled with the separation. I took him to school. He goes to Jefferson Middle School. He's doing really well,” Collin explained.
The officer acknowledges the seriousness of the visit, and Colin agrees, and Colt says, “I know how serious it is, trust me.”
Collin claims he has been to the school multiple times and blames other kids for touching his son, and Colt said he wanted out of the school district.
Collin then claimed he continued to be bullied and spoke about the importance of gun safety.
“Let me ask you, are there any weapons in the house?” the officer asked.
“I think so,” Colin says.
“Is it accessible?” the officer asks.
“I don't have any bullets in it, but I shoot a lot and I do a lot of deer hunting. This is the first time I've shot a deer this year,” Collin said. “I'm pretty shocked and, to be honest, pissed.”
“I'm a little surprised by what's happened, but I can tell you, I take it very seriously, and I actually think he does too,” Collin said.
“I have no idea that he would say something like that. If he said something like that I would be furious. Then all the guns would be gone and he wouldn't have access to them,” Colin continues. “I'm trying to be honest. I'm trying to teach him about firearms and safety and how to do it and get him interested in the outdoors.”
“Keep him away from video games,” the officer responded.
“Yeah, exactly. It's awesome. Honestly, I have a picture on my phone of him with blood on his cheek the first time he shot a deer. It's the best day ever,” Colin said. “So he knows the seriousness of weapons, what they do, how to use them and how not to use them.”
“So it's kind of a shock. So I just want him to know that no matter what people say to him, no matter what this is, no matter where it's coming from, it's not a joke. No, it's not a joke,” Collin continued.
Via Reuters
“We wouldn't be here,” the officer said.
“No, I know, I know. I'm telling you right now, we talk about it a lot. School shootings and stuff. Yeah, I heard you were bullied at school. And he is. He's bullied at school. So. Are you OK? That's why I keep going there. No. Because I really don't know. I don't want anything to happen to him. Yeah, yeah,” Collin concluded.
Tragic Georgia high school shooting: What we know so far
The officer then asked to speak to Colt, and Collin agreed to take him.
When Colt comes into the room, the officer tells him he has a report to report, and the officer seems to take Colt at his word, and the two share a laugh about how some people would lie to the police.
Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY Network
The officer and Colt made small talk about school, the end of school, and moving on to high school.
Collin Gray, 54, is charged with multiple counts of manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of child abuse in connection with the actions of his son, 14-year-old Colt Gray.
Authorities said Thursday that Gray knowingly allowed his son to possess a weapon.
He is being held in the Barrow County Jail.
