The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
FROM AP: 13-Year Old Boy Shoots Teacher, Classmate At Indiana High School
11:10 a.m.
A friend of the 13-year-old girl badly wounded at a suburban Indianapolis middle school says she wishes the accused shooter could face criminal charges in adult court.
Twelve-year-old Kylie Cook told reporters the boy charged in the shooting made an adult decision by bringing a gun to Noblesville West Middle School. She spoke after the boy appeared before a juvenile court judge Monday morning.
Cook is friends with Ella Whistler, whose family says remains hospitalized after being shot seven times during the May 25 attack inside a science classroom.
The 13-year-old accused shooter showed no emotion and gave short answers to the judge who read the 11 charges he faces, including attempted murder.
Prosecutors say that under state law the boy can't face adult charges because of his age.
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A 13-year-old boy mostly remained silent during a juvenile court appearance Monday, more than two weeks after he was accused of shooting a classmate and a teacher in suburban Indianapolis.
The boy answered "yes" or "no" to a series of questions from a magistrate. The 11 charges against him in juvenile court include attempted murder. The Associated Press has not identified him because he is charged as a juvenile.
He wore an orange-and-white jail uniform and sat between his parents during the hearing, which lasted about 15 minutes.
A magistrate entered a denial of the charges, the equivalent of a not-guilty plea. The teen will return to court on June 25. His parents and lawyer declined to speak to reporters.
A student and a teacher were injured in the May 25 shooting at Noblesville West Middle School. The teacher, Jason Seaman, is credited with saving many lives by tackling the shooter.
Prosecutors have asked the judge to declare the suspect delinquent because he's too young to be tried as an adult under Indiana law.
Authorities say the boy was carrying two handguns and a knife when he opened fire inside a school classroom on May 25.
Thirteen-year-old Ella Whistler's family said last week that she was shot seven times and remained hospitalized. Seaman was shot as he tackled the shooter. He was released from a hospital the next day.
