UPDATED 9/14/23:
GREENSBURG, La. — One student was killed and two others were injured, one critically, when a 14-year-old opened fire at a Louisana school.
The incident occurred Tuesday around 3:30 p.m. at St. Helena College and Career Academy. Joe Chaney, chief of operations with the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Department, said the victims, who were all students at the school, were sitting together in a car in the parking lot when the suspect sprayed the vehicle with bullets.
The student who was critically injured was airlifted to an area hospital. Sources told WBRZ that the other injured student, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was brought to St. Helena Parish Hospital. One is now in stable condition while the other’s condition is unknown.
The deceased victim has been identified as 16-year-old Vernon Gordon, Jr., a football player at the school. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
“So many kids could have been killed yesterday with the amount of bullets spraying,” said Chaney. “This has been one of the most terrible acts I’ve seen.”
The suspect, also a student at the school, was taken into custody at his home and is being held at a detention center. He has been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated second-degree battery, and possession of a firearm in a firearm-free school zone.
Chaney said it is believed the crime is tied to a bullying issue but that the investigation is ongoing.
“Know your child — what he leaves home with — even if it means checking book sacks,” he said.
School is canceled until Friday and grief counselors will be available when students return.
St. Helena College and Career Academy is part of the St. Helena Parish School District. It has around 520 students and serves grades 7-12.
Less than two weeks ago, another 16-year-old Louisiana student was shot and killed at a football game between Port Allen High School and Brusly High School. Those schools are about an hour away from St. Helena.
