The Economist explains

When can parents be held responsible for their children’s crimes?

Mass shootings by young assailants are raising the question

Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, 14, enters the Barrow County courthouse for his first appearance, on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Ga.
Photograph: AP

ON SEPTEMBER 4TH Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School in Georgia, shot dead two students and two teachers and wounded nine other people. Two days later the boy was brought into court to face charges—as an adult—on four counts of first-degree murder.

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left: Kamala Harris right: Donald Trump

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