Teen arrested in shooting following basketball game at Miami Northwestern Sr. HS
MIAMI - A 15-year-old teen has been arrested in connection with a shooting last week of a student who was wounded outside of Miami Northwestern Senior High School following a basketball game, according to court documents.
The student, who CBS News Miami is not identifying publicly because he is a minor, is facing several charges, including attempted premeditated murder, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm by a minor, according to the arrest report.
Investigators said the teen suspect and the victim were attending a basketball game on Jan. 11 and began arguing after the game had ended.
It was not clear what the two were arguing about but the the suspect pulled out a weapon and fired at least eight rounds, with five bullets striking the victim in the head and his body, according to the arrest report.
The suspect ran from the scene and dropped the gun used during the incident, identified as a black Taurus handgun. Investigators found the weapon near the scene of the fight and the suspect told investigators that he dropped it while running away from the school.
The incident was caught on cellphone video and showed the resulting chaos of students scattering at the sound of gunfire.
"Witnesses are seen fleeing east through the parking lot back to the school seeking cover from the gunfire," the investigating officer wrote in the report.
Shooting at Miami Northwestern Sr. HS prompts calls for safety
The incident led to a weekend vigil by parents who called for an end to the violence.
"I am begging parents, legal guardians to become more involved in the everyday activity of their kids," community activist Tangi Sands-Miller said, adding that the school needs to do more. "I think that it's time for an upgrade in the security system. The schools can implement a clear bookbag policy, but at this point, I truly believe that metal detectors are needed."
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindigall , the school board member for District 2 and who represents the area that includes the high school, said only one school out of 60 she represents has a metal detector
"Laws are put on the book so we protect everyone," she said, "not just some, but everyone."
Long-time NAACP member and community activist Carolyn Boyce said more needs to be done on the state level too.
"I'm not going to ask about taking away the guns, because as we speak, there are multiple millions of guns being produced, but what I am asking for is that we activate the law," Boyce said.
She wants judges to enforce the 10-20-Life law in Florida that requires judges to implement mandatory minimum sentences to show the community there are consequences to your actions.
CBS News Miami reached out to the school board to see what they had to say about metal detectors and clear bags. They are working on the request.
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