The mother of Colt Gray, the teenager accused of killing four people in last week’s tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has issued a heartfelt apology to the victims’ families. In an emotional open letter shared with CNN, Marcee Gray expressed her deep sorrow while defending her son, stating, “My son Colt is not a monster.”
“To the parents and families of those affected by the tragic events at Apalachee High School, I want to say that I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart,” Gray wrote, just one week after the horrifying incident that claimed the lives of two teachers and two students, and left seven others wounded.
The letter mentions the two 14-year-old students, Mason and Christian, who were among the victims, with Gray lamenting, “If I could take the place of Mason and Christian, I would without a second thought.” She also paid tribute to the teachers who lost their lives while protecting students during the attack. “My heart breaks for the two teachers who gave their lives while in the service of teaching and protecting our children.”
Gray described the anguish she and her family are enduring, writing, “We are all in a living nightmare right now, and I will personally never forgive myself for what has happened.” In a powerful defense of her son, she added, “My son Colt is not a monster. He is my oldest baby. He is quiet, thoughtful, caring, funny, and extremely intelligent. Please pray for him and the rest of our family, as I am praying for all of you every moment of every day.”
According to Colt Gray’s grandfather, Marcee Gray had received a chilling text message from her son the morning of the shooting, simply saying, “I’m sorry, mom.” Concerned, Marcee immediately contacted the school at 9:50 a.m., warning of an “extreme emergency” – about 30 minutes before police arrived in response to the shooting.
While authorities continue their investigation, Marcee Gray’s letter paints a portrait of a grieving mother grappling with the unimaginable consequences of her son’s alleged actions.