A A 15-year-old boy who was shot Monday morning at Watson Chapel Junior High School in Arkansas, he died, according to the Pulaski County Forensic Office, according to CBS affiliate KTHV-TV. The Watson Chapel School District also announced the student’s death, citing his mother’s Facebook page.
The alleged gunman, a classmate who is also 15, was arrested shortly after the shooting, police said. The incident took place inside Watson Chapel High School as students changed classes around 10 a.m., Pine Bluff Police Chief Sergeant Kelvin said Monday.
The suspect is being held for a first-degree battery charge in Monday’s shootings and a judge set $ 1 million, according to KTHV. Charges are expected to be updated after the death of the victim.
A Facebook post from the school district on Monday said the shooting was an “isolated incident.”
Police said the Arkansas Department of Corrections dog squad found the suspect hiding behind a house near the school. Police then described the shooting as a “target incident” and said a motive was being investigated.
The Associated Press said Monday was to be the first day at Watson Chapel for on-site learning after several weeks of weather-related problems closed the school. Pine Bluff is located about 44 miles south of Little Rock.