Colt Gray killed four people, two adults and two classmates, at his school this month with an AR-15-style rifle a weapon often linked to mass shootings and heavily debated for its civilian use. His father had bought the weapon for him as a gift, despite the ongoing controversy about minors having access to such powerful firearms. The AR-15, widely criticized for its destructive capability in a short amount of time, has become a symbol of the national gun control debate, particularly in relation to school shootings. He now faces four counts of felony murder.
Gray’s father, Colin Gray, also has been arrested in connection to the shootings. Last year, the authorities visited his home about threats they received from then, 13 year-old Colt. In this video, his father said everything was good. Today, Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. If convicted, he could spend up to 180 years in prison.
Unlike other mass school shooters, Colt Gray was not killed by police. He lived to tell his story. Since the shooting, the spotlight has been on Colt Gray’s family environment.
According to CNN, Gray's parents recently went through a bitter separation and custody dispute. They called police on each other, the family was evicted from at least one home, and Gray’s mother was arrested on suspicion of keying her husband’s car and drug possession according to police records.
Gray’s mother and maternal grandfather have accused Gray’s father of being verbally abusive toward his family for years.
“He was just a good kid, but he lived in an environment that was hostile,” said Gray's maternal grandfather. “His dad beat up on him, I mean, I’m not talking about physical, but screaming and hollering, and he did the same thing to my daughter.”
As the saying goes, "there's two sides to every story: his, hers, and the truth." And those stories differ drastically when it comes to a matter of public opinion.
In the Los Angeles Times, the headline reads: "The teen arrested in Georgia school shooting is not an adult, and shouldn’t be treated like one." The article reports that, "Minors have less moral and emotional capacity, and logically should be subject to a different level of criminal culpability and punishment. It would be positively medieval to treat a criminally charged child the same as an adult."
Critics in the comments disagree and note that "he was old enough to know right from wrong" and that "he should... get life in prison." One commentor noted, "The kid was treated as an adult when he was given a weapon of war. The four people he killed will get no second chances."
This situation underscores a larger societal debate about whether teenagers like Colt, who commit horrific crimes, should be judged by adult standards. Some argue that 16 is old enough to understand the consequences of your actions, while others believe that circumstances like an unstable family life can cloud a teenager’s judgment and make them less culpable.
Some critics are even pointing fingers at the NRA and certain gun owners, saying, "There's a cavalier attitude among some gun owners who believe the 2nd Amendment is sacrosanct and they are single-issue voters."
The culture surrounding firearms and minors in America is has always been scrutinized. Many believe that a lack of gun control, combined with a glorification of weapons like the AR-15 in music and books, and on television, social media, film, and video games play a significant role in tragedies like this.
But still, according to CNN, the grandfather said he had never seen Colt Gray show any signs of anger, but that his turbulent family life affected, and probably triggered the teenager.
This is a three-part question. Read and respond to them all, the respond to at least two other students across any class:
1. How do societal factors like family dynamics, environment, and race shape perceptions of guilt, responsibility, and consequences?
2. Should parents be held responsible when their children commit violent crimes?
3. Why do you think the grandfather is mentioning the things he said?
Gray’s father, Colin Gray, also has been arrested in connection to the shootings. Last year, the authorities visited his home about threats they received from then, 13 year-old Colt. In this video, his father said everything was good. Today, Colin Gray is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children. If convicted, he could spend up to 180 years in prison.
Unlike other mass school shooters, Colt Gray was not killed by police. He lived to tell his story. Since the shooting, the spotlight has been on Colt Gray’s family environment.
According to CNN, Gray's parents recently went through a bitter separation and custody dispute. They called police on each other, the family was evicted from at least one home, and Gray’s mother was arrested on suspicion of keying her husband’s car and drug possession according to police records.
Gray’s mother and maternal grandfather have accused Gray’s father of being verbally abusive toward his family for years.
“He was just a good kid, but he lived in an environment that was hostile,” said Gray's maternal grandfather. “His dad beat up on him, I mean, I’m not talking about physical, but screaming and hollering, and he did the same thing to my daughter.”
As the saying goes, "there's two sides to every story: his, hers, and the truth." And those stories differ drastically when it comes to a matter of public opinion.
In the Los Angeles Times, the headline reads: "The teen arrested in Georgia school shooting is not an adult, and shouldn’t be treated like one." The article reports that, "Minors have less moral and emotional capacity, and logically should be subject to a different level of criminal culpability and punishment. It would be positively medieval to treat a criminally charged child the same as an adult."
Critics in the comments disagree and note that "he was old enough to know right from wrong" and that "he should... get life in prison." One commentor noted, "The kid was treated as an adult when he was given a weapon of war. The four people he killed will get no second chances."
This situation underscores a larger societal debate about whether teenagers like Colt, who commit horrific crimes, should be judged by adult standards. Some argue that 16 is old enough to understand the consequences of your actions, while others believe that circumstances like an unstable family life can cloud a teenager’s judgment and make them less culpable.
Some critics are even pointing fingers at the NRA and certain gun owners, saying, "There's a cavalier attitude among some gun owners who believe the 2nd Amendment is sacrosanct and they are single-issue voters."
The culture surrounding firearms and minors in America is has always been scrutinized. Many believe that a lack of gun control, combined with a glorification of weapons like the AR-15 in music and books, and on television, social media, film, and video games play a significant role in tragedies like this.
But still, according to CNN, the grandfather said he had never seen Colt Gray show any signs of anger, but that his turbulent family life affected, and probably triggered the teenager.
This is a three-part question. Read and respond to them all, the respond to at least two other students across any class:
1. How do societal factors like family dynamics, environment, and race shape perceptions of guilt, responsibility, and consequences?
2. Should parents be held responsible when their children commit violent crimes?
3. Why do you think the grandfather is mentioning the things he said?
INSTRUCTIONS:
**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.
1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.
2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.
3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.
5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.
6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.
7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.
WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.
Due Fri., September 15, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST
**Vague responses will not be accepted in your post or replies.
**Disrespectful comments will not be accepted and will result in a zero whether you do the assignment or not.
1. Respond to the post. Do not post vague or ambiguous commentary. Your post should have depth, be thoughtful, and provide specific, meaningful insight. Make sure it addresses the topic and encourages reflection, discussion, or a connection.
2. INCLUDE: Last Name, First Initial, AND Class Block.
3. You MUST comment on at least TWO other posts from any student in any class. Your replies cannot be identical comments on different posts and posting shallow comments such as "I agree" or "I disagree" will earn you a zero. Make sure your reply addresses the comment that you are responding to.
4. Language. Do NOT use profanity.
5. Set a weekly alarm or calendar timer. Whatever you do to remember other important events, I'd do the same for this assignment.
6. Don't wait until the last minute. Telling me that you didn't do the assignment on Friday because you broke your leg, for example, on Thursday will not do anything for you when you've had a week. Be responsible and accountable.
7. How to post. Click in the top right hand corner or the lower left hand corner where it says Comments to access the discussion board. Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page to post a Reply. After, choose comments from at least two students from any class and Reply to what they wrote.
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school, your family or your upbringing with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
DISCLAIMER: If you do not respond AND comment on TWO others, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you do not write your name correctly, and I don't see your work, you will not receive credit for this assignment. If you use profanity, you will not receive credit for the work. It's all or nothing.
WARNING: If you post even one second past midnight, your comment might appear to be posted, but as soon as it is opened to be graded, it will automatically delete.
Due Fri., September 15, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST
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