Father, son charged in US school shooting held without bond

WASHINGTON: A 14-year-old boy accused of shooting four people dead at a US high school and his father, who allegedly bought him the gun for Christmas, appeared in court on Friday to face murder charges.

Lawyers for Colt Gray, a freshman at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, and his father Colin Gray, 54, declined to seek bond and they were ordered to remain in custody.

Judge Currie Mingledorff read out the charges and rights to the thin, dyed-blond-haired boy, who was dressed in a green shirt and khaki trousers, with shackles at the wrists and ankles.

Mingledorff told the boy he faces four charges of felony murder punishable by death, before later correcting himself and saying he would not be eligible for the death penalty because he is a juvenile. The maximum penalty is life in prison without parole.

Gray is charged with shooting dead two fellow students, also aged 14, and two teachers at his high school on Wednesday. Nine other people -- most of them children -- were wounded.

Gray´s father appeared before the same judge shortly afterward, dressed in a black and white striped prison uniform and rocking back and forth nervously at the defendant´s table.

He faces involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder charges.

Earlier this year, the parents of another teenage school shooter were convicted of manslaughter charges, but Colin Gray is believed to be the first parent to be charged with murder over a shooting carried out by their child.