**Father and Son Indicted in Apalachee High School Mass Shooting**

In a tragic development, a Georgia grand jury has indicted both a father and son on multiple charges, including murder, following a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder. The incident left four individuals dead and numerous others injured.

The Barrow County grand jury, convening in Winder, has charged 14-year-old Colt Gray with a staggering 55 counts. These charges include four counts each of malice murder and felony murder, among other severe allegations like aggravated assault and cruelty to children. Meanwhile, Colt’s father, Colin Gray, faces 29 counts, encompassing second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and reckless conduct.

Deputy court clerk Missy Headrick confirmed that the father and son were indicted in separate documents, although these hadn't been processed for public release as of Thursday. They are both scheduled to make a formal plea at their arraignment on Nov. 21. Colin is currently housed in the Barrow County jail, while Colt, who is charged as an adult, remains in a juvenile detention center in Gainesville. Neither has sought bail, and their legal representatives have thus far refrained from commenting.

During a preliminary hearing, investigators detailed the chilling events leading up to the shooting. They testified that Colt Gray smuggled a semiautomatic assault-style rifle onto his school bus, concealed in a poster board within his book bag. The 14-year-old is said to have left his classroom during the second period, emerged from a bathroom with the rifle, and began shooting indiscriminately in a classroom and hallways.

The victims of this appalling act include teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Another teacher, along with eight students, sustained injuries, with gunfire wounding seven of the victims.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation uncovered that Colt Gray meticulously planned the assault. A notebook found in his classroom contained step-by-step instructions and a detailed diagram of his attack strategy, estimating he could kill as many as 26 and wound up to 13 others.

Signs of Colt Gray’s troubled state surfaced long before the incident. Months prior, both Colt and Colin were questioned regarding an online threat attributed to the teen. Colt’s behavior grew increasingly erratic, including skipping school and experiencing severe anxiety attacks. In August, his mother, Marcee Gray, urged Colin to secure his firearms, a plea that went unheeded. Instead, Colin bought Colt ammunition and other shooting accessories.

The investigation reveals that the family had plans to admit Colt to a mental health facility on Aug. 31, but the arrangement failed following a parental dispute over Colt's access to guns. This case brings to the forefront the ongoing issue of parental responsibility in school shootings, echoing the conviction of Michigan parents Jennifer and James Crumbley, who were sentenced to at least 10 years for their role in a similar tragedy.

District Attorney Brad Smith emphasized Colin Gray's negligence, highlighting his awareness of Colt's infatuation with school shooters and deteriorating mental state, combined with his provision of firearms and ammunition. This case underscores the critical importance of responsible gun ownership and mental health awareness in preventing such devastating events.