Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Judge Declines to Charge Shooter’s Mother in Apalachee Shooting
A school in Georgia was hit by a shooting that killed four people.
The mother of one victim, Breanna Schermerhorn, said the court should have charged the shooter’s mother, Marcee Gray, but the prosecutor said there was no legal reason to do so.
Marcee had no custody of her son and didn’t give him the gun.
The shooter, Colt Gray, was sentenced to life in prison.
His dad, Colin Gray, got 15 years.
In jail, Marcee talked about pictures of other school shooters, which was not allowed.
Lawyers said her later comments can’t be used to charge her for the shooting.
Breanna Schermerhorn criticized the court’s decision not to charge Marcee Gray.
Prosecutors said Marcee had no custody, proximity, or firearms provision to Colt Gray.
Colt Gray was sentenced to life without parole plus 20 years; Colin Gray received 15 years.
Jailhouse calls showed Marcee discussing mass‑shooter images and trying to bring them into detention.
Legal experts said Marcee’s post‑arrest comments cannot be linked to the shooting for prosecution.
- Who
- Breanna Schermerhorn, Marcee Gray, Colt Gray, Colin Gray, Brad Smith
- What
- Decision not to prosecute Marcee Gray and sentencing of Colt and Colin Gray
- When
- Sentencing on Tuesday, 2024
- Where
- Apalachee High School, Winder, Georgia
- Why
- No legal basis: no custody, proximity, or firearms provision
- Victim mother
- Breanna Schermerhorn
- Gunman
- Colt Gray
- Sentencing date
- Tuesday, 2024
- Location
- Winder, Georgia
- Prosecutor
- Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith