Marcee Gray, the mother of 14-year-old Colt Gray, who has been charged in the deadly Apalachee High School shooting, has expressed deep remorse and heartache following the tragedy. The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to nine others.
On the morning of the shooting, Marcee Gray received an alarming text message from her son, who later confessed to the attack.The message, which read, “I’m sorry, mom,” was sent to Marcee before the shooting occurred. Charles Polhamus, Marcee’s father, described being with his daughter at his home in Fitzgerald, Georgia, when she received the troubling text.
According to Polhamus, the cryptic message prompted Marcee Gray to act quickly. She called Apalachee High School to report an unspecified “extreme emergency” involving Colt Gray. The 10-minute call took place around 9:50 a.m., approximately 30 minutes before authorities were alerted about the shooting. Marcee’s sister, Annie Brown, confirmed the call to the Washington Post, which was later reported by CNN.
Following the call, Marcee Gray and her mother drove 200 miles from Fitzgerald to Winder, Georgia, in a desperate attempt to reach her son and prevent any potential harm. Despite their efforts, the shooting occurred shortly after.
Marcee Gray later confirmed to the Washington Post that she had indeed made the call but chose not to elaborate on what specifically prompted her to reach out. She has since expressed her deep regret and sorrow over the tragedy, saying, “I am so, so sorry and cannot fathom the pain and suffering they are going through right now.”
Marcee Gray broke her silence Saturday, apologizing to those affected for the “absolutely horrific” shooting.
The suspect, Colt Gray, faces four counts of murder and will be tried as an adult. His father, Colin Gray, has been charged with multiple counts including involuntary manslaughter, following revelations that he purchased the rifle used in the shooting as a holiday gift for his son.
The shooting has shocked the community, with the Barrow County School District and local authorities facing scrutiny. CNN reached out to both the district and the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for comment but had not received a response by Saturday evening.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, Marcee Gray’s apology underscores the profound personal and emotional toll of the tragedy. “I am deeply sorry for what has happened and the impact it has had on so many lives,” she said.