Georgia school shooting suspect, father to remain in custody

The 14-year-old suspect in the mass shooting at a Georgia high school and his father are both going to stay in custody following court appearances Friday morning.

The alleged gunman, Colt Gray, was escorted into the Winder, Ga., courtroom early Friday and advised of his rights, two days after authorities say he opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder. Two students and two teachers were killed and several other people were injured.

The judge told Gray that the maximum penalty in this case was the death sentence or life in prison. The judge later advised him that since he is a minor the maximum penalty he would face is life without parole.

His legal counsel did not ask for bail to be set, The Associated Press reported, and another hearing was scheduled for Dec. 4.

Gray’s father, who was arrested Thursday in connection with the shooting, will also remain in custody. Colin Gray answered a judge’s questions, noting that he finished 11th grade, earning a high school equivalency diploma, the AP noted. He did not ask for bond, CNN reported.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said earlier this week that Colin Gray “knowingly allowed” his son to have the weapon.

Colt Gray was charged Thursday with four counts of felony murder, one for each death in the Apalachee High School shooting Wednesday.

The FBI revealed he had been interviewed last year after the agency received several tips about online comments he allegedly made about committing a school shooting. The FBI said there was no probable cause for an arrest or any other law enforcement action following the interview.

In April, Jennifer and James Crumbley, the parents of Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley, were the first parents in the U.S. to be charged and sentenced for having criminal responsibility for the shooting at Oxford High School.