Grandfather of 14-year-old school shooting suspect calls for the teenager's father to face the death penalty

The grandfather of the 14-year-old who allegedly carried out a school shooting has called for the boy's father to receive the death penalty.

As previously reported, the tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when Colt Gray, 14, allegedly opened fire inside Apalachee High School at approximately 10:30AM, resulting in the deaths of two students and two teachers.

The suspect was known to the FBI. Credit: Megan Varner / Getty

The victims have been identified as 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angelo, along with two math teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie.

Colin Gray, Colt's father, faces four counts of manslaughter and two counts of second-degree murder after reportedly giving his son the AR-15-style rifle used in Wednesday's deadly shooting.

Speaking to the New York Post, Colt’s grandfather, 81-year-old Charles Polhamus, said the boy was "driven by his father to do what he did."

He added: "Spending 11 years with that son of a b***h screaming and hollering every day, it can affect anybody... He needs the death penalty."

Colt’s grandmother, Deborah Polhamus, reportedly visited the school outside Winder, Georgia, the day before the shooting to discuss concerns about the teenager’s behavior.

Colt's mugshot. Credit: Barrow County Sheriff's Office/Handout

Polhamus revealed to CBS that the family had been increasingly worried about Colt skipping school and displaying concerning behavior.

"They were having some problems with him not going to school," Polhamus said.

Polhamus also mentioned that his daughter, Colt’s mother, had warned the school about a potential emergency just minutes before the shooting began.

Colin Gray appearing in court. Credit: Brynn Anderson-Pool/Getty

According to text messages obtained by The Washington Post, Marcee Gray, Colt’s mother, had called the school to urge them to check on her son.

“I told them it was an extreme emergency and for them to go immediately and find [my son],” she said in the texts to her sister.

Marcee was driving toward the school, located three hours away, when the shooting occurred.

Marcee Gray. Credit: Ben Hill County Sheriff's Office

Colt’s parents had separated in 2022 after their eviction from their home. Colt was living with his father when the shooting took place.

Polhamus blamed Gray's erratic behavior and alleged drug addiction for destroying the family. "He cost us our half-million-dollar farm," Polhamus said, adding that Gray’s addiction began after a back injury.

Marcee had also been impacted by Gray’s issues but remained committed to their three children, Polhamus emphasized.

"She is a good person and a mom," he said. Despite her troubles, Polhamus insisted that she "never did anything to Colt. All she did is help him out."

Featured image credit: Brynn Anderson-Pool/Getty