Mother says accused school shooter ‘is not a monster’ in apology letter to Apalachee community

WINDER, Ga. — Wednesday marked one week since the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School that claimed the lives of four individuals.

A growing memorial now stands outside the school as the community continues to grieve.

Autopsies of those who died have been completed, and the investigation is now in the hands of the district attorney.

The suspect’s mother, Marcee Gray, has released a letter Wednesday apologizing to the victims’ families.

In court documents posted on the Barrow County Clerk’s website Wednesday, Colt Gray’s defense attorney, Alfonso Kraft, asked to see all evidence against his client.

The court also appointed attorney Arnold Ragas to Colt’s father, Colin Gray, on Tuesday.

Marcee Gray spoke publicly for the first time on Tuesday and revealed that she had sought inpatient treatment for Colt in Athens.

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“I wanted Colt to be admitted to an inpatient treatment in Athens. I shared the information with my mom and his dad, and Colt was on board with it,” Marcee Gray said.

“I grieve and cry with you. My heart breaks for the 2 teachers who gave their lives while in the service of teaching and protecting our children. We are all in a living nightmare right now, and I will personally never forgive myself,” she wrote in her apology letter to the Apalachee High School community.

Her son is accused of shooting inside the school, injuring nine and killing four.

In her letter, she described him as “…not a monster. He is my oldest baby. He is quiet, thoughtful, caring, funny and extremely intelligent.”

Investigators said Colin Gray provided the gun used in the shooting.

Marcee Gray mentioned that the family spoke with counselors a week before the incident about placing Colt in an inpatient facility.

She said, “She [the counselor] wanted us to wait until Colt could visit with some other therapists that come to the school periodically.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation directed inquiries about whether the family should have called law enforcement to the district attorney.

The school district is also being asked if it will investigate Marcee Gray’s claims that counselors knew about potential threats days before the shooting and whether protocols will change.

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Metro attorneys believe several lawsuits will be filed in aftermath of Apalachee High shooting

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