SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A 16-year-old boy facing an attempted murder charge following a shooting at Seminole High School made his first appearance in court Thursday morning.
The judge read the charges Da’raveius Smith faces after the shooting Wednesday afternoon, including first-degree attempted murder, possession of a weapon and discharging a weapon on school property, and disturbing the peace while interfering with school administration functions.
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The victim, identified by his family as 18-year-old Jhavon McIntyre, was shot three times, according to Sanford police. McIntyre’s family told News 6 he was shot three times — once in the wrist and once in each leg — and is recovering after having surgery on his wrist.
During the suspect’s first appearance, the judge ordered Smith to be held in custody for at least the next 30 days and set his arraignment for Feb. 14.
In a news conference hours after the shooting, Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said the shooting was a result of a dispute between Smith and the victim over a girl, but it was later revealed that the main dispute between the boys was over a deceased relative. The chief said in the news conference it was not clear how Smith got the gun onto the school’s campus.
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An arrest report released Wednesday night said Smith told police he had an issue with the victim, claiming the victim confronted Smith about a dead relative and would taunt Smith while changing classes. There was no mention of a conflict over a girl in the police report.
However, a police official said in an email to News 6 “it does not appear to be a case of bullying.”
McIntyre’s family said the teen had come out of the surgery OK, but he had a hard time believing he had been shot.
“Our young kids are killing each other,” said Joyce Baker, McIntyre’s grandmother. “They’re shooting each other and we’ve got to find out why do they feel that guns are an equalizer.”
However, while the family also asked that people pray for the families of both McIntyre and Smith, McIntyre’s family intended to be at every hearing and would demand justice.
“Teens need to know that this isn’t right and it’s not acceptable and we’re not going to let it go,” said Talisha Riggins, McIntyre’s cousin.