A school shooter who unleashed hell on a Georgia high school nearly two years ago has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty last Friday to 55 counts, including murder, for a horrific shooting he perpetrated on September 4, 2024, that claimed the lives of two teachers and two 14-year-old students. 

Gray appeared in court on Tuesday in front of Barrow County Judge Nicholas Primm and received his fate of life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

His sentencing comes after it was revealed in court that he seemed excited from his jail cell when his mom informed him that his sick crimes were gaining attention online. 

During the hearing, prosecutors played disturbing audio footage of phone calls with his mother, Marcee Gray, who described the 'fan art' drawings she saw online of her son. 

Gray asked his mother about the engagement his posts were getting, and seemed excited when she said it was a lot. 

She told her son that she would print some of the posts to show him, and even said she would keep some for herself. 

In one particularly haunting call, Marcee Gray promised her son she would make a 'Colty Shrine' in honor of him. 

In another instance, she asked him about a request from a journalist who wanted to make a documentary about the case, to which he replied, 'Yes. Go for it.' 

Prosecutors argued that Gray's conversations with his mother and a documented fascination for school shootings proved he had carefully planned the heinous attack. 

Investigators echoed a similar sentiment in court. Ashley Gilleland, an investigator with the district attorney's office, testified that Gray idolized mass shooters and chatted with people online about his admiration of them. 

Prosecutors read aloud some of the messages he posted on the platform, Discord, including, 'I want people to remember the pain I caused and research me for hours.'

In another message, he referred to Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz, writing, 'My love for Nik has formed into something in which I can find no other resort that can prove my love and affection towards him.'

Marcee Gray testified at a hearing in February that she was aware that her son had an interest in Cruz. Prosecutors had described a 'shrine' to Cruz that he kept on a wall next to his computer. 

Forensic psychologist Dr Kevin Richards also testified in court that Cruz had fascinations with Adam Lanza, who killed 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, as well as James Holmes, who killed a dozen people in a Colorado movie theater. 

Gray pleaded guilty to four counts of murder for the deaths of teachers Richard 'Ricky' Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. 

Another teacher and eight more students were wounded, seven of them hit by gunfire.

The case also marked a precedent of convicting parents for their roles in the crimes of their children. 

Gray's father, Colin Gray, was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in March for purchasing the firearm and keeping it unsecured. 

Gray's attorneys argued that he suffered from a series of mental health issues and was a victim of abuse and neglect. 

Candice Broce, a director of the state Division of Family & Children Services, testified on Tuesday that Gray showed improvement during treatment after his mother was barred from speaking with him. 

The court also heard multiple victim statements of those who were injured in the shooting. 

Natalie Griffith recalled during an emotional statement how the attack left her unable to use her left hand. 

'I got shot twice, once in my wrist and once in my upper arm,' Griffith said. 'I lost the ability to use my left hand, but on some days it doesn't feel like that is the biggest thing I lost.

'After the shooting I lost my independence, I could not put on my own clothes or do my own hair, things that were easy for me became a challenge.'

The court also heard from Gray's classmate, Nautica Walton, who told him: 'I hate everything about you.'

'I hate the scars you left on my body. I hate that you took innocent lives in front of innocent people. Most of all, I hate that I let you live in my mind,' she said.

Judge Primm said Gray's crimes reflected 'permanent incorrigibility,' adding, 'I will sentence you to life without parole for each of the malice murders you committed.'