Suspected gunman, 14, charged in South Carolina elementary school shooting
TOWNVILLE, S.C. -- A 14-year-old South Carolina boy accused of killing his father and wounding three people during a shooting at an elementary school has been charged as a juvenile with murder and three counts of attempted murder.
The teen appeared in juvenile court on Friday wearing a yellow jail jumpsuit and without any restraints. A judge ordered him to continue to be held.
The teen is accused of killing his father at their home on Wednesday before driving a pickup truck to a nearby elementary school and opening fire as a door was being opened for recess. Two students and a teacher at Townville Elementary were wounded. One of the students, a 6-year-old Jacob Hall, is in critical condition at a hospital. His family has said he is on life support.
Despite being shot in the shoulder, officials said, a teacher was able to barricade children inside.
Townville Fire Chief Billy McAdams said Thursday during a news conference that he responded to the school along with volunteer firefighter Jamie Brock, who tackled the teen gunman before he could get inside the school.
Brock, who had been hailed as a hero, says teachers who ushered students to safety deserve the praise.