A state investigator testified Tuesday that Colt Grey’s father revealed his 14-year-old son had turn into aggressive and was in want of psychological well being counseling within the months main as much as the 2024 lethal rampage at a Georgia highschool.
Colin Grey, 55, pleaded not responsible on two counts of second-degree homicide, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, 20 counts of cruelty to kids and 5 counts of reckless conduct. His son, Colt Grey, is accused of opening hearth at Apalachee Excessive College on Sept. 4, 2024, killing two college students, two academics and wounding 9 others.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation particular agent Kelsey Ward, who interviewed Colin Grey about three hours after the taking pictures, advised the court docket that he mentioned Colt would attempt to battle him and that he had tried to get assist for his son by contacting counselors and psychological well being amenities to discover inpatient care choices.
However regardless of this regarding conduct, Grey mentioned he nonetheless wished to get his son into deer searching to assist cope. After a searching journey wherein they bonded, he advised his son that perhaps “Santa Claus” would present him a firearm, Grey advised Ward, in line with a recording of the interview performed in court docket. He added that he bought a rifle for his teenage son for Christmas.
“He shot a deer for the primary time ever within the woods, we bonded, it was like the best day ever,” Grey advised Ward in the course of the interview. “In my thoughts, I swear to god I assumed he was gonna be excellent from then on.”
Nonetheless, Grey advised Ward, he noticed troubling warning indicators.
A few days earlier than the taking pictures, Grey advised Ward that he noticed a poster of Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College shooter Nikolas Cruz on the wall of his son’s room. Grey mentioned he didn’t know who Cruz was, however requested his son, who advised him, “that’s one of many guys that did that final faculty taking pictures.”
Grey recalled giving his son a “pep discuss” the day earlier than the taking pictures and the morning of, encouraging him to go to high school after a day of absence, Ward mentioned.
“Let’s make a plan, and we’ll determine this out,” he recalled telling his son, including that he mentioned he was happy with him.
On the morning of Sept. 4, 2024, Grey recalled receiving texts from his son that involved him, together with “I am sorry. It is not your fault,” and “You’re to not blame for any of it.” Grey advised Ward he left work after receiving these messages and tried to achieve his son.
Grey went residence and seemed inside Colt’s room, and that is when he realized that the AR rifle he stored within the nook of his room was not there.
Ward mentioned Grey advised her he might by no means think about his son doing what he is been accused of.
“I imply, how the hell is he going to stroll throughout the yard with a protracted rifle and get on a bus? There’s no manner that is him,” Grey advised Ward.
Textual content messages displayed in court docket present Grey asking his daughter, Jenny, if she had heard from her brother, Colt, on the day of the taking pictures. Jenny attended Heyman Morris Center College, which was proper subsequent door to Apalachee Excessive College, and advised her father she was scared whereas the constructing was in lockdown.
“No,” Jenny responded to her father. “However I believe we’re pondering the identical factor and I do not wish to discuss it over textual content.”
“Yep, 10 4 I will be there right here in only a few,” Grey wrote to his daughter.
