Georgia teen to appear in plea hearing over 2024 school shooting that killed four people

A Georgia teenager accused of a 2024 school shooting that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers is set to appear in court for a plea hearing. Colt Gray, 16, is scheduled to appear in Barrow County Superior Court on July 24 for a "non-negotiated" plea and sentencing hearing.

Gray, who was charged as an adult, previously entered a not guilty plea to 55 criminal counts, including malice murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault. The charges stem from a shooting incident when he was 14 years old. Second-degree murder charges alone carry a potential sentence of up to 30 years in prison, with a possible overall sentence of 180 years.

A non-negotiated plea means prosecutors and the defense have not reached an agreement on a sentence. In such cases, the judge determines the sentencing after hearing arguments from both sides. This contrasts with a negotiated plea, or plea deal, where a defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a specific sentence and potentially reduced charges.

Gray has been held in a juvenile detention center since his arrest. His father, Colin Gray, was convicted in March of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting. Colin Gray's prosecution marked the third instance of a parent facing criminal charges related to a mass shooting allegedly carried out by their child, and the first such case in Georgia. Prosecutors argued Colin Gray was criminally negligent, allowing his son access to a firearm despite warnings and prior violent incidents involving Colt Gray.