Dallas

Teen Charged in North Texas High School Shooting

Authorities say a 16-year-old boy who opened fire inside a North Texas high school, wounding a classmate, has been charged as a juvenile with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The Ellis County district attorney's office on Tuesday announced the charges against the teen. Authorities have not released his name.

Authorities say he shot a 15-year-old girl in the cafeteria of Italy High School on Monday morning. They have not said how many times she was shot or indicated a motive.

She's recovering at a Dallas hospital. Her name has not been released.

Officials say victim is "in good spirits," but they won't say what prompted her classmate to open fire in a school cafeteria with dozens of other students nearby.

Superintendent Lee Joffre told reporters Tuesday outside Italy High School that he met with the girl at the hospital and that she's "sending a message of recovery and strength." Joffre did not give her condition.

Agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives searched the school for weapons or explosive devices before students arrived Tuesday.

The 16-year-old shooting suspect is being held at a juvenile detention center and Ellis County sheriff's Sgt. Joe Fitzgerald says a preliminary court hearing is planned for Wednesday.

Fitzgerald says investigators know where he obtained the handgun used in the shooting.

Italy is about 40 miles south of Dallas.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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