Accused Georgia school shooter expected to plead not guilty

July 11 (UPI) -- A Georgia teenager accused in the shooting death of four people at a high school is expected to change his plea in court later this month, it was reported Saturday.

Colt Gray is charged with fatally shooting two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., in 2024.

Gray, then 14, also allegedly injured nine other people during the shooting, in which prosecutors say he used a gun his father had bought him for Christmas.

He pleaded not guilty to 55 counts, including murder, aggravated assault and first-degree cruelty to children.

Now, court documents filed in Barrow County Superior Court show that Gray will change his plea when he's back in court on July 24.

He will appear for a "non-negotiated" plea hearing later this month, followed by a sentencing hearing, CBS News reported.

A non-negotiated plea means the defendant is changing his original not guilty plea but has not made a deal with prosecutors.

Gray, who has been charged as an adult, faces 180 years in prison.

His father, Colin Gray, was the first adult charged in Georgia in connection with a school shooting.

He was convicted in March on charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children.