Teen Accused In Italy High School Shooting Will Be Tried As Adult
WAXAHACHIE (CBSDFW.COM) - Police say he went into Italy High School with a gun and targeted his victim and her new boyfriend. On Tuesday, it was announced that the suspect in the January shooting will be tried as an adult.
Prosecutors say the suspect, identified as 16-year-old Chad Padilla, targeted and then shot 15-year-old Noelle Jones. Jones had to be airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, but she survived and was released from the hospital a week later.
The teenage shooting suspect was escorted in the courtroom in shackles and sat with his parents by his side. The judge heard witness testimony to decide if he will be charged as an adult.
It was on January 22 when police say the suspect walked into the school cafeteria and opened fire with a .380-caliber handgun. The suspect shot six times, hitting Jones at least once and narrowly missing a male student. Investigators say the suspect targeted the pair because they were dating and he was jealous.
Padilla allegedly sent his father a text apologizing minutes before the shooting.
Jones' mother told the judge that her daughter is still recovering and is haunted by nightmares of the shooting.
Padilla will turn 17 in two days and will be moved to the Dallas County jail. His bond is set at $300,000 for six felony charges related to the shooting.
