A heartbreaking and shocking case out of Louisiana is leaving a community stunned after a teenager is accused of shooting his own father following a dispute over going to school.
Police in Hammond say the incident began early in the morning on April 14 outside Tangipahoa Alternative School, where a 13-year-old boy refused to get out of his father’s car in the drop-off line.
After speaking with school officials and a police officer, the father decided to take his son back home. But just moments after the vehicle pulled away from the school driveway, everything took a devastating turn.
Authorities say a gunshot suddenly rang out inside the SUV.
The vehicle then crashed into a house across the street.
What happened next only made the situation more alarming.
Police say the 13-year-old exited the car and began walking toward the school entrance while still holding a weapon. A school resource officer quickly intervened and detained him before anything else could happen.
Inside the vehicle at the time was also a 5-year-old child.
The father was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, but days later, on April 18, officials confirmed he had died from his injuries.
The teen was initially charged with attempted second-degree murder, but authorities say those charges are expected to be upgraded to second-degree murder following the father’s death. A grand jury indictment will be required to make that official.
He is currently being held at the Florida Parishes Detention Center.
Investigators are still trying to determine how the boy got access to the firearm and what led to the shooting.
“Sometimes, when evil things are going to happen, they just happen,” Police Chief Edwin Bergeron said, while also crediting the quick actions of the school resource officer with preventing a potentially even worse outcome.
The school was immediately placed on lockdown, with officials saying students and staff secured classrooms within seconds.
“This type of violence is senseless and outrageous,” Bergeron added. “It also shows why having officers on campus is so important.”
I guess he doesn’t need to go to school now.