WINDER, Ga. — In a letter released to the public, Marcee Gray, the mother of the teenager accused of a deadly school shooting that left four dead at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, expressed profound apologies to the victims’ families and defended her son, maintaining he is not a “monster.”
The heart-wrenching incident unfolded last week resulting in the tragic deaths of two students and two teachers. Authorities confirmed that 14-year-old Colt Gray has been charged with four counts of murder and faces trial as an adult, potentially resulting in a life sentence if convicted.
In connection with the distressing event, Colin Gray, the boy’s father, faces charges including four counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder. Reports revealed that he provided the AR-15-style rifle his son used during the assault.
In her letter, Marcee Gray confronted her grief and remorse while iterating her deepest sympathies for the immense loss experienced by the teachers’ and students’ families: “If it were within my power to trade places with Mason and Christian, the two young victims, I would do it without hesitation,” she stated.
The loss extended to the school’s faculty, with Marcee Gray lamenting the sacrifice of Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Both teachers tragically lost their lives striving to protect their students amid the chaos that erupted within school grounds.
Amid her emotional apology, Marcee Gray offered a description of her son that painted a conflicting picture compared to public perception. “He is quiet, thoughtful, caring, funny, and extremely intelligent,” she noted, emphasizing her anguish and continuous prayers for all affected by the incident.
According to Marcee Gray’s account on the day of the shooting, she received a disconcerting text message from her son merely stating, “I’m sorry mom.” Alarmed, she promptly contacted the school around 9:50 a.m. to alert them to a severe emergency—about 30 minutes before law enforcement arrived on the scene.
The family’s pain is shared by Colt’s grandfather, Charles Polhamus, who described Colt as inherently good but misled. He attributed Colt’s actions to the harmful influence of his father, whom he described as “evil” and a negative presence in Colt’s life.
This tragic event has sparked broader discussions about school safety protocols and parental responsibility in preventing such catastrophes. The community of Winder, along with the entire nation, wrestles with questions about the intersection of youth mental health, access to firearms, and the adequacy of school security measures.