Colt Gray, 16, has changed his plea to guilty in the 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School that claimed the lives of two teachers and two students, now facing a potential life sentence without a deal with prosecutors. Previously pleading not guilty, Gray, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was charged as an adult with 55 counts, including murder and aggravated assault. The shooting tragically resulted in the deaths of teachers Richard “Ricky” Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, with seven other students wounded by gunfire. During the emotional plea hearing, victims’ families shared their profound grief and the lasting impact of the violence. Shayna Aspinwall, wife of the slain teacher, spoke of the constant pain and the future her daughters have lost, while Breanna Schermerhorn, mother of Mason, emphasized that the decision to kill was Gray’s alone, despite missed warning signs from adults. She poignantly described her son as someone who made others feel seen and safe, believing he would have befriended Gray if given the chance, and asked the judge for a life sentence without parole. The judge questioned Gray to ensure his plea was voluntary and understood, to which he affirmed. Gray now faces a minimum of life in prison, with the judge to decide parole eligibility after hearing further statements. This development comes as his father, Colin Gray, was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter for providing the AR-15-style rifle used in the attack, despite awareness of his son’s deteriorating mental health and prior threats.
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