The family of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old accused of the tragic Apalachee High School shooting in Georgia, strongly denies being labeled as “white trash,” emphasizing that they are just “regular people.” A relative of Colt’s mother, Marcee Gray, spoke out amid reports portraying the boy as being raised in a broken and neglectful home. The relative, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Post that the perception of the family being low-income and uneducated is misleading.
“We are not white trash. That’s what everyone is saying about us, but we’re not. We are just regular people,” the relative insisted. Most of the relatives on the maternal side are middle-class, with college degrees and steady, well-paying jobs, they added.
Colt Gray is facing charges for allegedly gunning down two classmates and two teachers at Apalachee High School on Wednesday morning. He has been charged with four counts of murder. In the aftermath of the massacre, a troubling narrative has surfaced regarding Gray’s home environment, revealing that his family was frequently visited by child protective services.
A former neighbor, Lauren Vickers, and a former landlord of the Grays described Colt’s upbringing as being filled with neglect and abuse. “The children were always wearing dirty clothes and sometimes were hungry,” Vickers shared, emphasizing the constant state of turmoil in the household.
Colt’s mother, Marcee Gray, who has a history of drug abuse and domestic violence arrests, was described by the relative as the “black sheep” of the family. Unlike her more stable relatives, Marcee fell into the wrong crowd, made poor choices, and distanced herself from the rest of the family. Despite holding a college degree and being described as both “book smart and street smart,” Marcee struggled with addiction, a hot temper, and difficult relationships, according to the family member.
Family interventions over the years have been unsuccessful, and Marcee has been estranged from her relatives for some time by her own choice. Her husband, Colin Gray, also plays a pivotal role in the family’s struggles. The relative noted that Colin, 54, has failed to hold down a job and has not set a positive example for his son. Colin was arrested on Thursday after it was revealed that he had purchased the AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting as a Christmas gift for his son. He now faces multiple charges, including four counts of manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Both father and son made their initial court appearances on Friday, where they were informed that they could spend the rest of their lives behind bars if convicted.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Colt’s family believes that the teen deserves a chance at rehabilitation rather than a lifetime in prison. They are advocating for intensive therapy and proper medication to address what they see as underlying mental health issues. The family hopes Colt will be charged as a juvenile, allowing for the possibility of rehabilitation and a chance at a more normal future.
In the meantime, the family is actively seeking the best legal representation available to them. Although they are deeply sympathetic to the families of the deceased, they maintain that Colt is also a victim in this tragic situation.
The investigation into the shooting continues, with more details expected to emerge as law enforcement examines the troubling home life and the factors that led to this horrific event.
