Son Johnathon Gray said the family’s situation was all down to a simple traffic dispute. Source: Supplied

Now a television documentary has shed more light on fugitive American family the Grays, who live in a remote Texan compound, surrounded by nothing but nature and lots of guns.

The heavily-armed Grays live on a 19 hectare property, surviving off the land which is as far away from police as they can get.

While it might sound like an elaborate TV script or a movie, their story is true — and it has captivated Americans since patriarch and grandad, John Joe, skipped bail in May 2000.

The police mugshot taken of John Joe Gray after his arrest in 1999. Picture: Anderson County Sheriff's Department. Source: Supplied

The previous December, John Joe was pulled over by police for speeding. But it wasn’t his driving they were concerned about.

State troopers reportedly found several high-powered rifles in his car and pieces of paper detailing plans to blow up roads throughout Texas.

He was arrested and detained, but even though prosecutors claimed he was a danger to society, Gray was bailed. He never returned to court.

The patriarch then sent a letter to police warning what would happen if they ever came after him or his family.

“We sent them a letter saying ‘hey if you come after us just bring extra body bags’,” John Joe is quoted as saying in Channel Four TV documentary, America’s Fugitive Family.

Life might be tough on the land, but at least the family say they are safe in their compound. Source: Supplied

But police haven’t visited the site amid fears of a deadly shoot out with the heavily armed Grays.

At least in their compound they are “protected”. If they are ever leave their safety isn’t assured.

The family, who number around a dozen, are all trained to use guns, hunt their own meat and source all their own food, but have no running water or electricity.

When Joe fled to the compound he took wife Alicia, their daughters Elizabeth and Ruth, son Jonathan and his pregnant wife Cassie plus three children, Melissa, Jessica, and Bubba. Their youngest daughter also called Alicia was born on the compound.

Knowing how to use a gun is an essential part of being a Gray. Picture: Screengrab Source: Supplied

Jonathan tells the Channel 4 program none of the family will ever leave and warn of the “torture” that would happen if any of them did.

For their part the younger Gray grandchildren seem reluctant to leave their safety net located with the Texas city of Gun Barrel.

“We don’t want to go outside because it’s just you know we’re protected here,” one of the children tells the show.

Still life for the children remains tough as the television cameras reveal and discipline is strictly enforced.

They get by playing basic games, have regular prayer sessions and listen to some Christian and country music through a primitive radio.

And they don’t attend school, instead receiving lessons at home.

Grandma Alicia said there’s no way she wants to see any of the children in the public system.

“All they’re being taught — let me put this as nicely as I can — is how to be a homo,” she said. “It’s not right.”

You can watch America’s Fugitive Family online at Channel Four UK.

The children are home schooled and all know how to defend themselves. Picture: Screengrab Source: Supplied