On May 21, 2023, Jackson County sheriff’s officers conducted a face-to-face interview with Gray, who was just 13 years old at the time. The officers detailed their interactions in an investigation report following the FBI’s alert about the concerning online behavior.

During the questioning, Colin Gray, Colt’s father, expressed his frustration with the situation, labeling the visit as “b*****t” and a “terrorist threat.” He shared insights into his son’s struggles, stating, “He’s going through a lot…very difficult for him to go to school and not get picked on.”

Colin elaborated on the challenges Colt faced, including the impact of his parents’ divorce and their recent eviction. “He struggled at first with the separation. I’ve been taking him to school. He goes to Jefferson Middle School. He’s been doing really good,” Colin explained.

As the conversation progressed, the officer inquired about firearms in the household. Colin confirmed, “I do,” when asked if he had any weapons at home. He further clarified, “They are…I mean there’s nothing loaded, but they are…we do a lot of shooting, we do a lot of deer hunting. He shot his first deer this year.”

Colin expressed his shock at the situation, stating, “I’m a little taken back by the whole thing, but I can tell you this, I take that very serious and so does he, as a matter of fact.” He emphasized his commitment to gun safety, asserting, “I don’t know anything about him saying s**t like that. And I’m going to be mad as hell if he did, and then all the guns will go away and they won’t be accessible to him.”

The officer suggested that Colin should encourage Colt to engage in outdoor activities rather than video games, to which Colin agreed, saying, “Yeah. Exactly. Right. That’s the best. The God honest truth is, the picture on my phone is him with blood on his cheeks when he shot his first deer. It’s just the greatest day ever.”

Colin continued to stress the seriousness of the situation, urging the officers to communicate the gravity of the threats to his son: “So it’s kind of a little bit of a shock. So whatever y’all are telling him, please instill in him what if this is whatever or wherever some come from is no joke. No, like it’s no joke.”

The officer acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, stating, “We wouldn’t be here.” Colin reiterated his concerns about Colt being bullied at school, saying, “No, I know, I know, and I’m telling you right now we talk about it quite a bit. All the school shootings, things that happen. Yeah, I hear you getting picked on at school. He is. He’s getting picked on at school.”

As the interview concluded, the officer informed Colin that a report would be filed, stating, “There will be a report.” The conversation ended with a reminder of the importance of vigilance, as Colin noted, “No, you never really know.”

Colin Gray, 54, now faces multiple charges related to his son’s alleged actions, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. He is currently being held at the Barrow County jail, with authorities asserting that he knowingly allowed his son access to a weapon.

This tragic incident raises significant questions about parental responsibility and the impact of bullying on youth behavior. As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, grappling with the implications of such violence in their schools.

Scott told CBN News that his sister’s “life and legacy” has “impacted millions of people.” Rachel, who was 17 when she was killed, was a strong Christian who kept her thoughts documented through powerful journals that have since been shared by the Scott family. These writings have left behind inspirational and faith-inspired messages and have inspired books as well as a feature film titled, “I’m Not Ashamed.”

But it was her death that also captured attention, as she was reportedly taunted by the killers for her Christian faith and yet stood firm in it until the end. Scott, too, has his own harrowing journey from April 20. He was in the school library where most of the carnage took place. His two friends were killed next to him and he fully expected he would be next. “I watched as the shooters went around the room, taunting students and treated it like it was a game,” Scott said. “And they came over to where I was. I saw my friend, Isaiah, they called him racial slurs. They tried to pull him out from underneath the table. They killed him, then they killed my friend, Matt.” He continued, “They left me underneath that table. I thought I was going to die.”

What happened next, though, was quite shocking. Scott said he heard the Lord deliver a message in the midst of shock and chaos. “I heard God speak to me,” he said. “And I am careful even with that phrase, ‘God told me to do something.’ … But I felt very strongly [that He] told me to, ‘Get out of there.'” At that point, Scott had no idea where the shooters were, but he stood up, looked around the room, and yelled for his peers to also stand up, repeating what that voice had said. “Let’s get out of here,” Scott said.” Everyone ran out of the room and outside the school to safety. Tragically, 10 kids were killed inside the library.

Scott has spent the past two and a half decades sharing what unfolded in an effort to help others discover hope amid the chaos of their own lives. “From early on, I had this belief that God had a plan and a purpose for the worst tragedy in my life,” Scott said. “And that belief … has been one of the biggest, helpful things in my journey the last 25 years, this belief that God has a plan and a purpose for even the worst stuff.”

Through sharing his and Rachel’s stories, Scott said his family has been able to help prevent shootings and suicides. Watch Craig explain how he has navigated faith, hope, and forgiveness in the wake of tragedy.

Article by Mimi Nguyen Ly from our premium news partners at The Epoch Times.

The shooting took place a little before 10 p.m. along the Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art, just as the fireworks display was getting started after a music concert celebrating the July 4 holiday had ended.

One of the officers, with the Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol, sustained a graze wound to the head, while the other officer, who was with the Montgomery County Bomb Unit, sustained a gunshot wound to the shoulder, reported WTXF-TV.

“For those looking to reunite with loved ones on the Parkway, please meet at 1901 Vine Street in front of the Free Library of Philadelphia. All others, please avoid the area,” the Philadelphia Police Department said on Twitter late Monday after shots were fired that sent crowds scattering.

Police have not said what had prompted or triggered the gunfire and no arrests have been reported as of late Monday. July 4 is a national holiday across the United States that marks when Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The shooting that injured the two police officers came just hours after a shooting in a Chicago-area suburb that killed six people and injured at least 24 others. A suspect has been taken into custody.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) on Twitter thanked law enforcement and wished the two injured police officers a speedy recovery.