American father jailed for 15 years after buying son gun that killed four at school

A father in Georgia has become the first parent in the United States to be convicted of murder for a school shooting carried out by his teenage son. Colin Grey purchased a rifle as a Christmas gift for his 14-year-old son Colt in 2024, despite warning signs that should have prevented the sale. The following month, Colt brought the weapon to his high school and opened fire, killing four students and teachers in one of America’s recurring mass shooting tragedies.
The case marks a significant legal milestone in holding parents criminally responsible for mass shootings. Prosecutors argued that Grey’s decision to give his son the firearm was reckless and negligent, particularly given documented warning signs about the teenager’s mental health deterioration. Prior to the shooting, Colt had posted images associated with mass shooter Nikolaus Cruz on social media, a disturbing indicator that went largely unaddressed by his father.
Further complicating matters, the FBI had previously visited the family home after receiving threats about a potential school shooting. Despite this federal intervention, Grey still chose to purchase and gift the weapon to his son during the Christmas period. The warnings proved tragically prescient when the shooting occurred weeks later.
The sentencing was delivered in front of the families of the victims, who have endured unimaginable loss. Grey’s 15-year prison sentence reflects the court’s determination that parental negligence and deliberate disregard for safety warnings can result in serious criminal charges, not merely civil liability. The verdict may set a precedent for future cases involving parents and access to firearms in households where warning signs exist.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.