The suspect in the school shooting is said to have brought a gun in his backpack to Apalachee High School, authorities say

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the suspected gunman in the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School last week brought an AR-style rifle to school in a backpack.

On Thursday, authorities said 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is charged with four counts of murder, asked a teacher if he could go into the office and talk to someone. The teacher allowed Gray to leave and take his things. Gray, police said, then went to a bathroom and hid from teachers.

Later, authorities said, Gray pulled out the rifle and began shooting.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the assault rifle believed to have been used in the shooting could not be disassembled, but Gray still managed to hide it in his backpack, the agency said.

Gray is the suspect in the shooting that left two students and two teachers dead and nine others hospitalized on Wednesday. Police have said Gray will be tried as an adult.

He was taken to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center and is charged with four counts of murder.

His father, Colin Gray, 54, was charged last Friday with four counts of manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of child abuse. Police say he knowingly gave his son access to an AR-15 rifle that was allegedly used in the shooting.

A court date of Dec. 4 has been set for Colt Gray and Colin Gray. Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brad Smith said a grand jury has been convened and will deliberate on formal charges against them on Oct. 17.

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