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

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • Texas A&M Opens First Building at Fort Worth Campus, Breaks Ground on Research Facility

    The Texas A&M University System marked a major milestone in the development of its Fort Worth campus by opening its first completed academic building and breaking ground on a second facility designed to expand research and industry collaboration.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • Johns Hopkins Starts Construction on New Residence Hall, Dining Facility

    The Homewood Campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., recently began construction on a new residence hall and dining facility, according to university news. The work involves demolishing the existing Alumni Memorial Residence Hall I, which was built in 1923, to make room for the new facility.