Grandmother testifies in Colin Gray trial about rifle purchase before Apalachee High School shooting

Damning testimony marked day five of the trial of Colin Gray, who is charged with murder and manslaughter in connection to the 2024 mass shooting at Apalachee High School.

(CNN)- Damning testimony marked day five of the trial of Colin Gray, who is charged with murder and manslaughter in connection to the 2024 mass shooting at Apalachee High School.

Gray’s son, Colt Gray, was 14 years old when prosecutors say he killed four people and injured nine others in the attack.

On Friday, Colt Gray’s maternal grandmother, Deborah Polhamus, took the stand and testified that Colin Gray bought his son an AR-15-style rifle as a Christmas gift. She also told jurors she gave her grandson money to purchase bullets for his birthday.

“I gave him money. He wanted bullets,” Polhamus said in court.

Colin Gray has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors allege he acted with criminal recklessness by purchasing the rifle despite previous warnings that his son posed a potential danger.

Jurors were shown 2023 body camera video of Colin Gray responding to officers investigating online school threats connected to his son. During testimony, Polhamus denied knowing about that prior law enforcement contact, including an FBI tip.

“No,” she said when asked if she had been told about officers coming to the home.

Prosecutors also introduced photos from inside the Gray family home. One image showed what investigators described as a tactical-style vest, a firearm, and ammunition. Another photo from Colt Gray’s bedroom allegedly showed what authorities called a “shrine” featuring images of Nikolas Cruz, the gunman who killed 17 people at a Florida high school in 2018.

The prosecution argues the evidence demonstrates warning signs that were ignored before the deadly shooting.