A man who gave his son the gun he used to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Georgia was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison.
Colin Gray’s sentencing comes days after his son, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the Sept. 4, 2024, shooting at the school 45 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. Colt Gray had pleaded guilty to murder and other charges.
A defense attorney for Colin Gray asked the judge for a sentence that would amount to 10 years in prison followed by 10 years on probation. The district attorney said Gray deserves a sentence of 80 years in prison.
I understand that ‘Guilt By Association’ is kind of a sticky concept, but it’s been a recurring theme in recent years where these public and mass shootings perpetrated by minors seem to have been directly preventable absent parental negligence or implicit support. For that reason, I’m glad to see the law beginning to recognize the problem and act.
To me, this is no different than an adult giving booze or drugs to minors, just significantly more catastrophic.