Boy, 15, injured in Arkansas school shooting; classmate held
A 15-year-old boy shot and seriously injured a fellow student Monday morning at an Arkansas junior high school, and the suspect was detained in a juvenile detention facility, authorities said. "The shooting happened in a hallway at Watson Chapel Junior High School as students were switching classes at about 10 am (local time)," Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant said.
Shooter was found in a nearby neighborhood
The school is in the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, about 65 kilometers southeast of Little Rock. "The school went on lockdown after the shooting. The shooter ran away but was found in a nearby neighborhood by a tracking dog," Sergeant said.
A police spokesman earlier reported that the victim had died
The wounded boy, who was also 15, was airlifted to a Little Rock hospital where he was "in very serious condition," Sergeant said. His name was not released. At one point, there was confusion about the boy's condition as a police spokesman reported that he had died. Lt. David DeFoor, Pine Bluff's police spokesman, later retracted that statement and confirmed the boy was alive.
Suspect has been taken to juvenile detention center
In the subsequent statement, DeFoor said "bad information was released." Meanwhile, officials said, "The suspect was taken to a juvenile detention center and prosecutors have not yet decided whether charges will be filed in juvenile or adult court." His name was not released.
A targeted incident as opposed to a random incident: Sergeant
"We don't have a definite motive right now as to why the incident occurred," Sergeant said. "However we do believe this was a targeted incident as opposed to a random incident," he added. Meanwhile, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who had earlier issued a statement mourning the erroneous death report, issued a follow-up statement noting that the boy was alive but in serious condition.
Monday was Watson Chapel's first day back for on-site learning
"Our prayers remain with the family," Sergeant said. Meanwhile, Monday was scheduled to be Watson Chapel's first day back for on-site learning in several weeks after winter weather and water issues closed the facility.
Gun violence in US schools in the last two years
Though gun violence at schools has declined with the shift to remote classes during COVID-19, the shooting was a reminder of the persistent problem. In 2019, twenty-five shootings were recorded, including minor incidents that weren't majorly reported, according to the Education Week data. In 2020, the number dropped to 10. The publication tracked shootings on K-12 school property resulting in firearm-related injuries or deaths.
