SANFORD, Fla. – A student at Seminole High School was taken into custody Wednesday after shooting a classmate, school officials confirmed.
Sanford police identified the suspect as 16-year-old Da’raveius Smith.
WKMG in Orlando reported that Smith was arrested after officers said he shot an 18-year-old student inside a school building just before noon.
Smith is facing one count of attempted homicide, one count of possession of a firearm on campus, one count of firing a weapon and one count of disturbing the peace while interfering with school administration functions.
The suspect told investigators he met with the vice principal of Seminole High School last week about an issue he had with a classmate on campus, according to an arrest affidavit.
The victim was shot three times and was taken to a hospital where he is in stable condition, according to a news release.
The victim’s family identified him as Jhavon McIntyre. They said the 18-year-old is a football cornerback looking to play college ball, though they are concerned his injuries from the shooting may hurt his chances.
“This incident that occurred today is one that we prepare for — we hope it never happens,” Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said. “We’re grateful that there was no loss of life today.”
The chief said that the shooting is the result of a dispute between the victim and the accused shooter over a girl. He added that there is no indication that the gunfire is in anyway gang-related.
“Presently we have no information or information period that this is a gang-related situation. Zero. There’s nothing to identify that,” Smith said.
The chief said, at the moment, it is not clear how the student got the gun onto campus.
The victim’s family said the 18-year-old was friends with the accused shooter prior to the attack.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
The superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools, Serita Beamon, said that classes at Seminole High School will proceed as usual Thursday, but that there will be counselors on campus to help students.
“There will be enhanced law enforcement presence on campus, along with mental health counselors to talk to students that are experiencing a trauma,” Beamon said.
Extra officers will be on campus the rest of the week.
Principal Dr. Jordan Rodriquez reached out to the parents of the Seminole High School in an email on Wednesday.
“Please forgive my delay in sending this message. For those who have become accustomed to the speed at which I like to share information as events occur, this is uncharacteristically late. Due to the events that transpired today, I was unable to sit down long enough to draft this. I would like to thank my administrative team, faculty, staff, and students for the poise and leadership they exhibited today,” Rodriguez wrote.
Rodriguez said he will continue to bring positivity and enthusiasm to the classroom.
“The events of today do not define our campus. The Nole Nation will grow closer and stronger. To all those who reached out today with messages of support, I can’t thank you enough,” he said.
County officials said the student charged in the shooting will have a court appearance at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday.
The family said McIntyre is recovering after doctors performed surgery on his wrist.