Philly Teen In Jail On Half Million Dollar Bail For School Shooting Will Be Tried As Adult
The 17-year-old suspect sought for his involvement in the school shooting that occurred in Philadelphia on Friday turned himself in to police over the weekend and was arrested on several charges for which he will be tried as an adult.
According to a report from ABC News, Rai-Sheem Rochwell reported voluntarily to the Northwest Detective Division early Saturday afternoon and was immediately taken into custody. He is being charged with aggravated assault, weapons possession and other offenses and is being held on half a million dollars bond.
"[Rochwell] has never been in any kind of trouble before," his lawyer Amato Samita told reporters. "This is the first time he's seen a prison."
CBS News reports that sources say the shooting may have actually been an accident, that perhaps the shot that wounded two students at Delaware Valley Charter School may have been discharged unintentionally.
"It's pretty clear from all the investigation done by all parties that nothing was done in a malicious manner," Samita said. "No evidence anything was done intentionally."
Samita told reporters that his client does not yet know how he will plead. However, he said that he doesn't expect Rochwell will be found at fault for the shooting once the facts of the case are presented in court.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday Feb. 6 and will be held in juvenile court.
According to police reports two students were injured as a result of the shooting. Although neither has been identified by name, it is confirmed that an 18-year-old female was shot in the arm and the same bullet then lodged into the shoulder of a 17-year-old male. Both were taken to a nearby hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Surveillance video captured the incident and police utilized the footage to track down two other suspects thought to have been involved.
Officers tracked down one suspect outside of his home an hour after the shooting took place and took him into custody. He was later released after being cleared by investigators.
A second suspect turned himself into police later on Friday evening and was also released after being questioned and cleared by detectives.
The Delaware Valley Charter School issued a statement after the shooting to assure students and parents that they are working with law enforcement to "ensure that all safety measures are addressed."
The school will be closed Monday for Martin Luther King Day, but will re-open on Tuesday with heightened security, according to reports.
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For the latest news & updates, follow reporter Bary Alyssa Johnson on Twitter: @MissBary
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