PBPD Chief Sergeant addresses WC Campus shooting

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By Ray King

Pine Bluff Police Chief Kelvin Sergeant on Monday described the shooting of a student at Watson Chapel Junior High as a “targeted incident” and not a “traditional active shooter.”

At a press conference Monday afternoon at the police department, Sergeant said the shooting was reported at 9:59 a.m. and the first officers arrived at the scene at 10:02 a.m.

The victim was taken to Jefferson Regional Hospital then flown by Angel 1 5 to Arkansas Children’s hospital where his condition was described as serious.

The suspect, a 15-year-old male who was also a student at the school was found hiding behind a house by a dog team from the Arkansas Department of Corrections and taken into custody without incident. He was questioned by Detectives then transported to the Jack Jones Juvenile Justice Center.

Sergeant also discussed why this was not classified as an “active shooter incident” and thanked other law enforcement agencies who responded to the call.

Also speaking at the press conference was Prosecuting Attorney S. Kyle Hunter who said no decision has been made as yet on whether the shooter will be charged as an adult.

Sergeant said officials at Watson Chapel Junior High School followed an active shooter protocol and officers cleared each classroom, the students were taken to the gym. Asked if reports of gang activity at the school played a role in the shooting, Sergeant said that would be a part of the investigation.

He also confirmed what Police Lt. David DeFoor had told Deltaplex News Monday morning that reports on social media claiming multiple people had been shot and one killed were inaccurate.

Asked if other students were present when the shooting occurred, Sergeant said students were changing classes at the time and other students were present, but he did not know how many.