Apalachee HS shooting: Colt Gray's mother describes 'aggressive and unpredictable' behavior

Jury learns more about Colt Gray's home life

The jury in the trial for Colin Gray learned more about Colt Gray's home life during his mother's day-long testimony. Marcee Gray took the stand against her estranged husband who prosecutors say bares some responsibility for the mass shooting at Apalachee High School. 

BARROW COUNTY, Ga. - The second week of Colin Gray's trial began on Monday morning with testimony by his ex-wife and Colt Gray's mother, Marcee Gray.

What they're saying:

Marcee Gray's testimony focused heavily on Colt's deteriorating mental health and the family's unstable living situation.

Marcee revealed that as early as 2021, school officials alerted her that Colt had bypassed internet filters to search "how to kill my dad." She described Colt's personality shift after she moved away in 2022, leaving him in his father's care. Upon seeing him again, she noted he was "aggressive and unpredictable," testifying that he used knives to vandalize the family car and home.

Marcee detailed a "full-blown panic attack" Colt suffered in July 2024, where he was found "hunched over and crying out," reportedly asking for someone to call 911.

She described instances where Colt would take knives and "make cuts on things."

A central theme of her testimony was the lack of communication from Colin Gray. She alleged that Colin "blocked her phone number" and refused to facilitate visits, leaving her in the dark about Colt's access to firearms. "It was generally in his bedroom," she told the court.

When asked by prosecutors if Colin Gray was ever supportive of getting their son professional help over the years, she answered, "No."

The testimony also highlighted the teenager's preoccupation with past school shootings. Marcee Gray confirmed that her son expressed interest in mass shooters and that the defendant was likely aware of it.

"I’m sure he was, yeah," she said when asked if her husband was around during those conversations.

Marcee Gray said that at 9:50 a.m. on the day of the shooting, she contacted her son’s guidance counselor and learned that Colt had asked his first-period teacher about active shooter drills earlier that morning.

"‘We need to cut this phone call off right now and y’all need to go locate my son and find out what’s going on,’" she testified she told the counselor, adding that she stressed her son had access to guns.

"I couldn’t hear urgency in her voice, and I said, ‘I need you to take this seriously; I need you to put down what you’re doing and go find him,’" Marcee Gray testified.

During cross-examination, the defense questioned Marci’s own level of alarm before the day of the mass shooting. Under questioning, she admitted, "You don’t call 911. No. Don’t ask for it to do a well check. No. Don’t call the school."

Marci concluded her testimony by stating that while she feared her son "might hurt himself a lot," she "never thought that Colin would do anything to anyone else."

The prosecution is using Marcee’s testimony to bolster its claim that Colin Gray was "criminally negligent" by providing his son with a SIG Sauer M400 rifle despite being aware of these severe mental health crises.

Earlier in the trial, jurors heard body camera footage from the day of the shooting where Colin Gray was recorded saying, "God, I knew it," upon hearing there was a lockdown at the school—a phrase the state argues proves he was aware of the immediate danger his son posed.

Colin Gray Trial: Colt's mother testifies on mental health

In a pivotal Day 6 of the Colin Gray trial, Marcee Gray provided heartbreaking testimony about her son’s mental health struggles. She told jurors that while she and Colt were hopeful about potential inpatient treatment, Colin Gray allegedly dismissed these pleas, questioning if his son was simply a "piece of crap person."

The backstory:

During the first week, prosecutors laid out their argument that warning signs were overlooked in the months leading up to the Sept. 4, 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School. The State called students, school staff and family members to testify, including Colt Gray’s grandmother, who told jurors she bought ammunition for her grandson after confirming it was approved by his father.

Colin Gray Trial: Chilling texts & "shrine" revealed

The first week of testimony in the Colin Gray trial concluded on Feb. 20, 2026, with disturbing revelations about the shooter’s home life and mental state. Prosecutors presented evidence of a Parkland-themed "shrine" and desperate text messages sent by Colt Gray just days before the attack. Our Kim Leoffler breaks down the week’s evidence and what to expect when Marcee Gray takes the stand Monday.

Jurors also reviewed police body camera footage from a prior visit to the Gray home tied to alleged online threats, as well as cellphone and body camera video from the day of the shooting. A school counselor described the district’s digital monitoring system, which flags certain words on student devices for follow-up.

What's next:

Colin Gray has pleaded not guilty. His defense team argues he could not have predicted the attack and disputes the State’s claim that he bears criminal responsibility.

Testimony will resume Tuesday morning.