The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE arrested a 17-year-old boy yesterday afternoon in connection with the shooting of a security guard at L W Young Junior High School.

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Paul Rolle said the teen was taken into custody around 1pm on Thursday.

The shooting took place at L W Young Junior High School on Bernard Road around midday on Monday.

Police said the school security officer, who is said to be in serious condition in hospital, was sitting in his booth when two males in a white Honda attempted to enter the school’s campus.

The guard approached the vehicle to see who was inside when one of the men, dressed in a C I Gibson school uniform, pulled out a handgun and shot him multiple times before the vehicle sped off.

The guard managed to run to one of the administrative buildings where he was assisted by staff and taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.

The Tribune understands the victim is a guard by the name of Caleb Cooper.

While the gunman appeared to be dressed in a school uniform, Chief Supt Rolle would not confirm yesterday if the suspect is a student. He also said police believe Mr Cooper was the intended target.

No one else was hurt during the shooting.

The school was immediately put on lock down before classes were dismissed early for the rest of day.

In a statement, Education Director Lionel Sands said despite the “unfortunate incident” student safety remains the Ministry of Education’s top priority.