By Ray King
Under Arkansas law, prosecutors are limited on the number of charges they can file against 14 or 15-year-olds in adult court.
Prosecuting Attorney S. Kyle Hunter explained to Deltaplex News what those charge are.
On Wednesday, Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth found probable cause to charge a 15-year-old, Thomas Quarles, with first-degree battery and set his bond at $1 million secured.
Quarles is accused of shooting another 15-year-old at Watson Chapel Junior High School on Monday. That male victim is in critical condition at Arkansas Children’s Hospital at Little Rock.
Hunter, who read the probable cause affidavit, declined to speak directly on the case but in general terms discussed what prosecutors would do if the victim dies.
Reading from the probable cause affidavit from Detective Keith Banks, Hunter said when officers arrived at the school, they found a school nurse administering first-aid to the victim, who was shot near the school library. Two .380-caliber shell casings were found next to the victim.
A student identified Quarles as the shooter and said he had left the school. The student told police what Quarles was wearing and a dog search team from the Arkansas Department of Corrections arrived and began to search the area, along with Sheriff’s Investigator Terry Wingard.
Hunter said the dog team tracked Quarles to East Greenway Drive where he was taken into custody. A black handgun was found in Quarles’ front pocket and a cell phone on the ground beside him.
He was taken to the Detective Office and his mother was contacted. He was not questioned after he and his mother asked for an attorney.
