Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Teen Faces Charges in Shooting at Florida High School

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/21/22

A 16-year-old student is facing charges after an active shooter incident put Seminole High School in Sanford, Fla., on lockdown for several hours on Wednesday, Jan. 19. The suspect, Da’raveius Smith, has been accused of one count of attempted murder, possession of a firearm on school property, firing a weapon on school property and disturbing the peace, said local police.

Local news reports that the incident began around noon. Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith said that resource officers were informed that there was a weapon on campus and that gunshots were coming from a nearby building. According to Smith, a school resource officer found an 18-year-old student who had suffered three gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to the hospital and underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. The victim has since been identified as 18-year-old senior and student athlete Jhavon McIntyre.

Police were told that the suspect fled to a nearby apartment complex. Local news outlets report that officers were able to rapidly identify and locate the suspect and take him into custody “without incident.” Police also recovered a 9mm handgun in bushes outside the school.

The motive of the shooting is still under investigation. Early reports called it an isolated incident resulting from a “dispute over a young lady,” said Chief Smith. However, the suspect claims that McIntyre had been repeatedly taunting him over a recently deceased relative. Local news reports that McIntyre had approached the suspect and his girlfriend and “confronted [Da’raveius] Smith about a deceased relative and accused Smith of making the comment ‘f you’ to the deceased, the report stated.”

"The incident that occurred today is one that we prepare for but hope never occurs,” wrote Chief Smith in a statement. “We are grateful there was no loss of life today; however, the gravity of what happened is not lessened. I am proud of the swift actions of the school resource officers and other law enforcement that immediately responded, provided aid and ensured the safety of the students on campus.”

The suspect first appeared in court on Thursday, Jan. 20. Attorneys requested that he be held for 30 days, and his next appearance has been scheduled for Feb. 14.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.