The father of the mass shooting suspect accused of killing four people at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, told investigators this week he had purchased the gun used in the killings as a holiday present for his son in December 2023, according to two law enforcement sources with direct knowledge of the investigation.
Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, is accused of killing two students and two teachers with an AR-style rifle in the Wednesday shooting. Nine more people were hospitalized.
One source told CNN the AR-15-style rifle was purchased at a local gun store as a Christmas present.
the addendum “sources say” is so unnecessary, how else would you know that?
Until it’s confirmed as totally factual they have to report it as hearsay. Otherwise they open themselves up to libel charges if it proves untrue.
One a sinister note, it’s the same reason FOX commentators will say “some people are saying [insert racist/sexist lie about some Democrat]” because then they aren’t the ones saying it, they’re just reporting on what “some people” have said.
Well the “sources say” implicates that they actually don’t know. They’ve just heard someone say it. So it’s definitely necessary.