A jury on Tuesday found 55-year-old Colin G. guilty of murder and manslaughter for his role in the September 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, northeast of Atlanta.
Jurors convicted Colin G. in under two hours, finding him guilty of second-degree murder for the deaths of two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and of involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie.
Prosecutors told the court over an 11-day trial that Colin G. armed and enabled his son, providing a rifle as a Christmas gift despite clear concerns about the boy’s declining mental health. The prosecution argued he allowed a child in his custody access to a firearm and ammunition even after warnings that the child might harm others.
The FBI and local deputies previously interviewed both the son, Colt G., and his father in May 2023 after anonymous tips flagged online threats to carry out a school shooting. Prosecutors said Colin G. ignored additional warning signs, including the boy keeping a shrine to school shooters and displaying violent behavior at home.
Defense attorney Brian Hobbs maintained that Colin G., who pleaded not guilty, did not know his son intended to attack and had sought help for his mental health. Hobbs said his client had been trying to parent responsibly and did not anticipate a shooting.
Prosecutions of parents in their children’s mass shootings are uncommon. In a separate 2024 case, Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted of manslaughter in a Michigan school shooting and later sentenced to 10 to 15 years. Legal observers say Colin G. may be the first parent charged with murder in connection with a child’s school shooting.
Colin G. will be sentenced at a later date; second-degree murder carries 10 to 30 years, and involuntary manslaughter can add up to 10 years. The shooter, Colt G., was 14 at the time of the September 4, 2024 attack and is now 16. He has been charged as an adult with 55 counts and has pleaded not guilty. Authorities say he planned the assault and brought a semiautomatic, assault-style rifle to school in his book bag.