Colt Gray, 16, pleaded guilty on July 24, 2026, to 55 charges including second-degree murder for the September 4, 2024, shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, that left four dead and nine others wounded [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Gray was 14 at the time of the attack and faced the charges as an adult [1, 2, 3, 5].

The victims killed included two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Nine others were injured, including one teacher and eight students, seven of whom were shot [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Gray entered his plea without a sentencing agreement, leaving the decision on sentencing and parole eligibility to Barrow County Superior Court Judge Nicholas Primm [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. During the hearing, the judge confirmed Gray understood the consequences and was entering the plea voluntarily; Gray responded "Yes, your honor" each time [1, 3, 4, 5].

Evidence presented at the hearing showed premeditation, including a notebook with diagrams and violent messages and a shrine to Nikolas Cruz in Gray’s bedroom [2, 3, 4]. Gray stated in interviews that he suffered from mental health issues including hearing voices [2, 3].

Gray used an assault-style rifle he received as a Christmas gift from his father, Colin Gray, who was convicted in March 2026 on 27 charges including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for providing the weapon [1, 2, 3, 4]. Colin Gray’s sentencing was scheduled for the week after Colt Gray’s plea hearing [1, 2, 3, 4].

Family members of the victims gave emotional statements at the hearing. Shayna Aspinwall said, "It is a life sentence of grief and trauma for those left behind" [1]. Breanna Schermerhorn called the shooting a loss of future, saying, "Those decisions were his and his alone. Mason deserved a future and we all deserved a future with Mason in it, and Colt took that from Mason and everyone who loved him." She added, "I will never forgive Colt Gray" [1, 4].

The sentencing hearing continued with victim statements and arguments over parole eligibility through the end of July 2026 [1, 4].