Alleged Gunman, 16, Charged As Adult In Kern County High School Shooting
TAFT (CBSLA.com) — The 16-year-old who wounded two people in a school shooting at Taft Union High School has been charged as an adult, Kern County's District Attorney's office said Monday.
Bryan Oliver has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault with a firearm after he shot a classmate, targeting another and injured a science teacher Jan. 10 around 9 a.m.
According to Taft police, Oliver entered the campus with a 12-gauge shot gun and went to his first period science class where he shot 16-year-old Bowe Cleveland.
KNX 1070's Vytas Safronikas reports teacher Ryan Heber, with the help of a campus aid, disarmed the suspect who was then taken into custody by authorities. He was carrying dozens of rounds of ammunition.
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Students said Oliver was an outcast and often bullied, and Cleveland, a popular 11th grader and athlete, took part in the bullying.
Cleveland was airlifted to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield for treatment.
Dr. Ruby Skinner, Cleveland's surgeon, said it's a miracle he's alive because his gunshot injures were extensive.
"He sustained potentially lethal injures to his chest and abdominal cavity," Skinner said.
Cleveland is still in a medically induced coma.
Heber suffered minor injuries and refused treatment on the scene.
Investigators believe the suspect plotted the attack and targeted two specific students he believed bullied him.
Oliver is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at 3 p.m.
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