PINE BLUFF, Ark. — A 15-year-old Arkansas student shot by a classmate on Monday has died, his mother confirmed via social media late Wednesday.
#BREAKING: The mother of the 15 year old shot — at Watson Chapel Jr High in Pine Bluff — confirmed her son died today at 5:35. @FOX16News #ARNews pic.twitter.com/U2SBFUgECV
— Donna Terrell Lambert (@donnaterrell_tv) March 4, 2021
The Pine Bluff Police Department also confirmed in a prepared statement that the unidentified victim was pronounced dead Wednesday night.
The shooting occurred at around 10 a.m. inside Watson Chapel Junior High School while students were changing classes, but a motive has not yet been determined, Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant has stated.
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News of the student’s passing came hours after the suspect learned he will be charged as an adult with first-degree battery in the shooting, KLRT reported.
It was not immediately clear if the charges had been upgraded following the victim’s death.
According to KATV, the suspect was identified in court documents Wednesday as Thomas Quarles, also 15, and investigators found two shell casings next to the victim.
Quarles, whose bond was set at $1 million, is slated to next appear in court on April 12, the TV station reported.
Cox Media Group