Crime
Apalachee High School Shooting Suspect and Father Appear in Court, Colt Gray’s father Colin faces up to 180 years in prison
The father and son accused of involvement in the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, made their initial court appearances on Friday.
The shooting, which occurred earlier this week, resulted in the deaths of two students and two teachers.
Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspected shooter, faces four counts of felony murder and could potentially face life imprisonment if convicted.
His father, Colin Gray, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
The proceedings were presided over by Superior Court Judge Currie M. Mingledorff, who informed Colt Gray that he would not be eligible for the death penalty due to his age.
The suspected shooter is expected to face additional charges as investigators continue to gather information from injured victims. His case will be presented to a grand jury on October 17, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 4.
Colin Gray, who allegedly provided his son with a firearm despite recognizing the danger he posed, could face a maximum prison sentence of 180 years if convicted on all charges.
The district attorney, Brad Smith, clarified that his decision to charge the father was not intended to send a message but rather to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
The victims of the shooting have been identified as Richard Aspinwall, Cristina Irimie, Mason Schermerhorn, and Christian Angulo. Their families and friends are mourning their loss and remembering their lives.
Crime
Jonathan Schaffer killed in shooting inside Coquette Brasserie at North Hills in Raleigh
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Two employees of Coquette Brasserie have identified the gunman involved in Friday’s deadly shooting, which left one employee dead and another injured.
The incident unfolded inside the French restaurant, located at 4351 The Circle at North Hills Street in Raleigh.
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Colom then shot Jonathan Aguilar, another employee, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shootings, Colom turned the gun on himself. He remains in critical condition, according to Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Chief Patterson stated that all shots were fired inside the restaurant and the incident appeared to stem from a personal dispute.
She emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Urban Food Group, the company that owns Coquette, had listed Colom as the restaurant’s executive chef on its website. However, his name has since been removed.
Colom has a notable criminal history:
In September 2024, Colom was involved in a crash in Orange County, North Carolina, and pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was ordered to pay $193 in court costs.
In January 2011, Colom was convicted in federal court for possessing a stolen firearm in New Mexico. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. The charges stemmed from a 2010 incident.
After his release from federal prison, Colom returned to North Carolina and transitioned into the restaurant industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he initially worked in the Wilmington area before moving to the Raleigh-Durham region around 2017.
Before his incarceration, Colom reportedly attended culinary classes at Central New Mexico Community College, where he honed his skills as a chef. His social media accounts feature photos of his culinary creations alongside images of firearms tagged with evidence markers from the U.S. Department of Justice.
State court records indicate that Colom is originally from Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina, near the coast. His record also includes minor drug charges.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Chief Patterson has assured the public that no additional threats exist, and authorities are working to provide clarity to the community.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Raleigh Police Department or submit tips anonymously.