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Trial of Colin Gray: Grandmother Testifies About Concerns Over Shooter's Mental Health

KVIA•Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4:01 PM•CNN Newsource

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Deborah Polhamus, the grandmother of Colt Gray, testified in the murder trial of his father, Colin Gray, who faces nearly 30 charges related to a school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. The prosecution claims Colin bought the firearm used in the September 2024 attack despite warnings about his son's mental health, which resulted in four deaths and nine injuries. Testimony revealed Colt's troubling behavior in school, including alarming searches and drawings. Colin Gray has pleaded not guilty, asserting he was unaware of his son's intentions and sought help for him. This case highlights the accountability of parents in school shooting incidents, similar to previous high-profile trials.

Key Details: • Colin Gray faces nearly 30 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder. • The shooting occurred on September 4, 2024, at Apalachee High School. • Colt Gray, now 16, has pleaded not guilty to 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder. • Deborah Polhamus expressed concerns about Colt's mental health prior to the shooting.

criminal-justice accountability mental-health trial school-shooting

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Colin GrayColt GrayApalachee High SchoolWinder, GeorgiaDeborah Polhamus

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