Family tensions erupt after tragic school shooting
Tragedy at Apalachee High School
Charles Polhamus, the maternal grandfather of 14-year-old Colt Gray, has publicly called for the death penalty for his former son-in-law, Colin Gray, following the deadly school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on September 4. The tragedy left two students and two teachers dead, with Charles holding Colin responsible for his alleged role in influencing his son’s actions.
Accusations of grandfather
In an emotional interview, Charles, 81, expressed his belief that Colt’s father, Colin, 54, significantly contributed to the tragedy. “Spending 11 years with that son of a bit** screaming and hollering every day — it can affect anybody,” Charles told the New York Post, adding, “He’s evil.” According to him, the toxic environment created by Colin drove Colt to commit the atrocity.
“Colt has to pay for what he did, but I’m telling you, he was driven, no question in my mind,” Charles said. “He was driven by his father to do what he did.”
Colin Gray’s legal troubles
Colin is facing two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the school shooting, along with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty to children. He is accused of providing Colt with an AR-15-style rifle, which the teen used during the massacre. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Colin was aware that his son posed a threat to himself and others when he gave him the weapon as a Christmas gift.
In response to the charges, Charles Polhamus said, “He needs the death penalty.”
A dysfunctional family history
The family’s history is fraught with dysfunction. Colt’s mother, Marcee Gray, had previously accused Colin of abuse, though Marcee herself has a troubled past. Sources revealed that Marcee once threatened to kill her husband and had also tied up her elderly mother, leaving her bound for 24 hours. Despite her own issues, Charles defended his daughter, saying she was a good mother and was dragged into Colin’s addiction problems following a back injury that led to substance abuse.
Charles described Colt as a “good kid” before being subjected to the toxic environment at home, exacerbated by his father’s screaming and emotional abuse. He also blamed modern technology and violent media for negatively influencing his grandson.
Neighbors’ contrasting perspectives
While Charles defended Marcee, neighbors painted a different picture. One former neighbor recalled instances where Marcee allegedly locked Colt and his sister out of the house, leaving them banging on the door, crying for their mother.
At the time of the shooting, Colt was living with his father. Marcee recently spoke out about the tragedy, saying, “It’s horrible.”