Prosecutors are asking that 14-year-old South Carolina boy Jesse Osborne who opened fire at Townville Elementary School, killing one and injuring three, to be tried as an adult. Osborne also reportedly killed his father before he went to the school and started shooting.
Solicitor Chrissy Adams said in a statement that they are filing a petition to transfer Osborne from the family court to the circuit court. In the family court, the teen faced charges as a juvenile. However, the petition was announced after one of the victims, six-year-old Jacob Hall, succumbed to his injuries.
The petition to transfer to the circuit court came a day after Hall was laid to rest as Batman in a superhero-themed funeral. However, it was not stated in the petition why they want to try Osborne as an adult, San Antonio Express News reported.
Osborne is facing two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and five counts of possessing a weapon during a violent crime, New York Daily News reported. The family court will be setting a hearing on the request of Adams after they evaluate the case.
The shooting took place on Sept. 28 where Osborne reportedly killed his father first then drove a truck to the Elementary School. He crashed his car into the playground fence and he began shooting as soon as he got out of the vehicle.
A bullet struck Hall in the main artery in his thigh. One more child was shot in the foot and his teacher was shot in the shoulder. A third student was also injured but suffered only minor injuries and did not have to undergo medical procedures.
District officials will reportedly turn the playground where the shooting happened into a tranquility park in order to honor Hall. Officials are planning to raise $750,000 to move the existing equipment to another spot and replace the playground with an open park. They believe this will help students heal from the shocking and tragic incident.
