FBI links Apalachee High School shooting suspect to 2023 online threats
Authorities say Colt Gray, the suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, was involved in a 2023 investigation over online threats
ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) – The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office have linked Colt Gray, the suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting on Wednesday, to a 2023 investigation involving online threats to commit a school shooting.
In a joint statement released Wednesday, the agencies said they received anonymous tips in May 2023 about online threats that included photographs of guns. The threats did not specify a location or time, but within 24 hours, the FBI traced the posts to Georgia and referred the case to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office identified Gray, who was 13 years old at the time, as a “possible suspect.” According to the statement, deputies interviewed Gray and his father, who confirmed there were hunting guns in the house but said his son did not have unsupervised access to them. Gray denied making the online threats, and authorities did not find probable cause to arrest him. Schools in the area were alerted for continued monitoring of Gray, but no further action was taken.
In a follow-up statement released Wednesday night, the FBI confirmed that Gray, now 14, is the same person in custody for the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.
“The FBI will dedicate all available resources, as requested, to seek justice and bring closure for the victims and their families,” the statement said.
