A 14-year-old in Louisiana was arrested and charged after a deadly school shooting that killed a 16-year-old student Tuesday afternoon, according to The St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to the shooting that killed one and injured two others around 3:30 p.m. Joe Chaney, chief of operations with SHPSO, said all three shooting victims were sitting in a car together in the St. Helena College and Career Academy parking lot when the suspect fired a spray of bullets.
“So many kids could have been killed yesterday with the amount of bullets spraying,” said Chaney.
A relative at the scene identified the victim who died as 16-year-old Vernon Gordon Jr. The sheriff’s office said Gordon, whose mother, father and uncle work at the school, was on the football team.
According to Chaney, one injured victim is in stable condition after being airlifted to a hospital, and the second injured victim’s condition is unknown. All three were confirmed to be high school students.
“This has been one of the most terrible acts I’ve seen,” said Chaney.
The crime, Chaney said, is believed to be tied to a bullying problem.
“Know your child. What he leaves home with. Let us- if it have to mean checking book sacks,” said Chaney.
The 14-year-old shooting suspect was arrested at his home and charged with second-degree murder, aggravated second-degree battery and possession of a firearm in a firearm-free school zone. He’s being held at a detention center.
An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Classes were canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. Officials said on-campus counseling will be offered to students after they return Friday and the football game is canceled.
“We will do everything within our power to help school return safe and normal. And I know they’re going to hesitate, but please put the kids back in school,” said Chaney.
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