BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — A preliminary hearing was held on Wednesday for Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old accused in the deadly Apalachee High School shooting on Sept. 4.
During the hearing, Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents testified about what happened during the shooting. The agents also spoke about Colt Gray's mother, Marcee Gray, who told them that Colt had a "fascination with school shooters and school shootings" and that he had access to guns at home.
At the hearing, GBI Special Agent Kelsey Ward testified that Colt Gray texted both of his parents on the morning of the school shooting.
"At 9:42 a.m. Colt texted Colin again; he stated, 'I'm sorry, it's not your fault. Know I love you," Ward said. "'You're not to blame for any of it.'"
Ward testified that Colt had also texted his mother at 9:50 a.m., "'I'm sorry.'"
After receiving that text message, Ward said Marcee Gray had called the school. During that call, Ward said she spoke with a school counselor.
"She explained that she, Marcee, and Colin had received some very concerning text messages from Colt," Ward said. "And she (Marcee) wanted the school to put hands on him immediately to determine where he was inside the building."
A judge in Barrow County ultimately determined at the hearing that there was enough probable cause and evidence to proceed with a trial for Colin Gray.
Colin Gray is accused of knowingly allowing his son, Colt Gray, to possess a weapon, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Colin Gray is facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
More on the Apalachee High School shooting
On the morning of Sept. 4, lives were forever changed at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. On that day, the GBI said at 10:20 a.m., the Barrow County Sheriff's Office received alerts about reports of an "active shooter."
During a news conference later that day, the GBI said two students and two teachers were killed in the shooting.
The GBI identified the victims as the following:
The GBI also identified the accused shooter as Colt Gray, who is a student at Apalachee High School. Colt Gray is facing four counts of felony murder in connection with the shooting and will be tried as an adult. The GBI said additional charges are expected.