Genna Contino,Kathryn Casteel,Mike Ellis|Greenville News
Latest: Greenville school shooting victim identified as community struggles with tragedy
A 12-year-old child died in a shooting atTanglewood Middle School in Greenville Thursday afternoon after he was shot by another 12-year-old student, according to the Greenville County Sheriff's Office and the family of the child.
Jamari Cortez Bonaparte Jackson was a student at the school, and he was killed by another student at the school, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Cries and screams were heard outside of the Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital emergency room, where the child's grandfather, Marshall Jackson,cried.
"That was my man," Jacksonsaid.
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In a statement posted on Facebook after 6 p.m. Thursday, the Sheriff's Office said investigators believe the incident was isolated though the motive for the shooting and how the shooter was able to get possession of a firearm remained under investigation.
Tanglewood's school resource officer requested emergency backup from law enforcement at 12:23 p.m. Thursday after hearing shots fired, according to the Sheriff's Office.
"We soon learned that the gunfire was from a 12-year-old student who shot another 12-year-old student inside the 700 wing of the school," the Sheriff's Office's statement reads in part. "Following the shooting we learned the shooter ran from the school, and a search was initiated. Just before 1:30 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office learned the possible suspect was at a residence, located in the 3000 block of Easley Bridge Road, and when deputies arrived they located him hiding under a deck. The suspect was taken into custody and a handgun was recovered.
"The suspect, who is a 12-year-old male student, was arrested and is being charged with Murder, Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime, Possession of a Firearm on School Property and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Person under the age of 18. He will be transported to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia."
About100 deputies and officers from numerousagencies responded to the scene soon afterthe shooting, including the State Law Enforcement Division, Lewis said.
The school's other students were transported to Brookwood Church in Simpsonville to be reunited with family.Tensions ran high as many parents waitedtwo hours inside the church to be reunited with their children, some of whom had no way to contact their parents to let them know they were OK.
"My heart breaks for this young boy’s family, and my prayers are with them tonight," Lewis said in the Sheriff's Office's statement on Facebook."Additionally, I will be praying for the other young boy who pulled the trigger and his family. I can not fathom what would cause someone to do this to another human being and especially at that age, but I know it’s a situation where we all need to turn to God. I cannot be more proud of all the law enforcement and first responders and the way they worked hand in hand with the professionals at the Greenville County school district. They put these plans in place for a reason, and I think today you can see the importance of these protocols.
"We will continue our efforts through training and enforcement of laws to do what we can to ensure our schools are safe, but I also ask parents to have conversations with your kids. Check their belongings and ensure they don’t have anything that could be a danger to themselves or anyone else. It truly takes a village, and we need everyone’s investment.”
Greenville County Schools officials emailed a press release with statements from the school district's superintendent and the school principal on Thursday night.
From Dr. Burke Royster, Superintendent, Greenville County Schools:
"We are deeply saddened to hear that the student victim in the shooting at Tanglewood Middle School passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his fellow students, the staff members at the school and everyone who knew this child. This is an absolute tragedy, and we will continue to do whatever we can to support his family and the Tanglewood community as they mourn the young life that was lost today.
"We want to recognize the tremendous response from Principal Walles and the staff at Tanglewood, the school resource officer, Sheriff Hobart Lewis, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and the multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies who all responded rapidly in accord with our emergency response plan."
From Dr. Graysen Walles, Principal, Tanglewood Middle School:
"My heart goes out to the family of our student who passed away, and my prayers are with them. Our entire Tanglewood family is hurting with this news and from the events that took place today. Our school is mourning and will work together to heal and process this tragedy."
Check back for more on this developing story.
