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Barrow COUNTY, Ga. – The judge in the trial of Colt Gray, the teenager accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School, ordered his recusal from the case citing “the interest of efficient administration of justice”.

Judge Currie M. Mingledorff II is retiring from the bench and, with his successor currently an assistant district attorney on the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, has taken the step to recuse himself from the case.

The case was reassigned to Judge Sarah Griffie.

Colt Gray is accused of opening fire using a “black semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle” in the high school’s J room during second period on Sept. 4. two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14they were killed. Nine others were injured.

Colt Gray faces 55 chargesincluding four counts of murder, four counts of felony murder, four counts of aggravated assault, 25 counts of aggravated assault and 18 counts of cruelty to children in the first degree.

Colt Gray’s father, Colin Gray, appears in a Barrow County courtroom for a sentencing hearing on Oct. 16, 2024. (FOX 5)

Colt’s father, Colin Gray, faces 29 charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children, involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. Prosecutors say he saw warning signs of his son’s behavior but took no action and even purchased the firearm used in the shooting as a Christmas present.

Colt Gray, the alleged gunman, and his father, Colin Gray, have asked for separate trials. The trial for both is set for November 21.