SANFORD, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy is facing several charges after police say he shot a classmate at Seminole High School on Wednesday.
Just before noon Wednesday, a school resource officer (SRO) was informed there was a weapon on the main campus and that shots had been fired, reports Fox 35. Another SRO located the victim, who has been identified as 18-year-old Jhavon McIntyre. McIntyre was shot three times, once in the wrist and once in each leg. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening and he is in stable condition.
The alleged shooter, Da’raveius Smith, appeared in court Thursday and has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, possession of a weapon, discharging a weapon on school property, and disturbing the peace. The judge ordered Smith to be held in custody for 30 days. His arraignment is set for Feb. 14.
Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith originally said the shooting was the result of a dispute over a girl, but it was later revealed the dispute was over a deceased relative who died of gun violence, according to Click Orlando. An arrest report released Wednesday said Smith told police the victim confronted him about the relative and would taunt him while changing classes. Smith said he hid in the bathroom to get away from McIntyre but that he confronted him in the bathroom and waited for him outside.
The suspect also reportedly told police that he was afraid McIntyre had ties with a gang and that he feared for his physical safety.
The school was placed on lockdown as police searched for the shooter. Video from Fox 35 shows authorities leading students out of the school with their hands on each other’s shoulders.
As officers searched the campus, they located a 9 mm handgun in the bushes around the tennis court. The criminal complaint said Smith ran to the tennis courts after the shooting and waited for officers to come to arrest him. He was taken into custody around 12:20 p.m.
The school typically dismisses students at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesdays but that was delayed due to the lockdown. Around 3:20 p.m., the district began dismissing students who rode school buses. Car riders were dismissed 20 minutes later.
Some parents voiced frustrations with how the district handled the shooting, noting early social media posts mentioned “an incident” on campus but didn’t include details, Orlando Sentinel reports.
”Our district was pushing information as we were able to do so in a safe manner for our students and as we were getting information at the time,” said Seminole Schools Superintendent Serita Beamon.
