Teen pleads guilty to 55 counts in 2024 fatal mass shooting at Georgia high school

A teenager who opened fire at a Georgia high school in 2024 pleaded guilty to all 55 counts against him on Friday. 

Colt Gray, 16, agreed to a non-negotiated guilty plea, which means there is no plea deal. Under the plea, the defense and prosecutors will present their arguments for an appropriate sentence, ABC News reported. 

The charges against Gray include murder and aggravated assault. The judge said that the minimum sentence allowed is life with parole and the maximum is life without parole. 

In September 2024, Gray opened fire at Apalachee High School, killing two students and two teachers. Several others were injured in the incident. Survivors and victims' families gave statements to the court on Friday. 

Breanna Schermerhorn, whose son, 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, was killed, described him as "kind, compassionate, funny and fiercely protective of others." She argued that Gray was aware that what he was doing was wrong and would forever impact many lives.