s not irretrievably broken and sought parole eligibility to offer hope. Gray's grandmother, Debbie Polhamus, testified that his parents failed him and that his behavior had improved significantly after receiving medication and treatment in detention.

Online mass shooter subculture

The backstory:

Investigators testified that Gray spent over a year planning the attack while deeply involved in an online group called the  true crime community . Gray stored over 2,000 photos of Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz on his phone and carved the number 38 into his rifle.

During post-shooting jail phone calls, Gray excitedly asked his mother to look up fan art and social media commentary about him, prosecutors noted. District Attorney Brad Smith stated Gray placed deliberate  Easter eggs  on the day of the shooting to perpetuate his fame within the online subculture.

District attorney addresses parents

Why you should care:

District Attorney Brad Smith warned parents that online true crime groups lack political ideology and are driven purely by nihilism and a desire to cause pain. Smith urged families to monitor what their children post on social media or display in their bedrooms and immediately remove access to firearms if concerning signs appear.

Smith added that prosecutors did not charge Gray's mother because she lacked physical custody, lived in the county for only three months over two years, and did not supply the gun. Gray's father was tried separately after supplying the weapon, according to the district attorney.

Post-trial proceedings

What's next:

Official court records have not confirmed whether Gray will file a notice for a discretionary appeal within the 30-day post-sentencing window. Additionally, court officials have not indicated if Gray plans to submit a motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

Colin Gray, Colt's father, is expected to be sentenced on Thursday.

Prosecutors argued he ignored warning signs about his son's mental state.

It was the first time in state history a parent was convicted in connection with a school shooting carried out by their child.

Joshua Schiffer, an Atlanta-based attorney, said it made sense from a legal standpoint to wait for the father's sentencing.

 Colin Gray's crime is directly linked to what his son did, in a unique way that George has never really dealt with before,  Schiffer said.  After the court obtained the conviction of Colin Gray, it was well within their discretion and arguably best practices to see what other facts evolved during the processing of Colt Gray's case. 

The 55-year-old faces up to 180 years in prison on the 27 counts a jury convicted him on in March.

MORE