Feb. 5, 2007 — Police have arrested and detained two minors in connection with a shooting incident that occurred early Monday afternoon at Charlotte Amalie High School. The incident sent one student to the hospital, where he is undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound to the chest and abdomen.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. at the rear section of the school's campus on St. Thomas, according to Police spokeswoman Shawna Richards. As of 3 p.m., however, not much else was known about the student's condition or the details of the incident itself.
Officials from the Department of Education, along with representatives of Gov. John deJongh Jr., were on the scene around 2:30 p.m., and subsequently traveled to the Schneider Regional Medical Center to check on the student's progress. According to CAHS administrators, the campus is currently "on lockdown."
Standing outside the hospital's emergency room, acting St. Thomas-St. John Superintendent of Schools Lisa Hassell-Forde said both the department and the Police have few details to release and are currently investigating the incident.
"I'm extremely disturbed," she said. "The schools are supposed to be safe havens for the children, not somewhere for incidents like these to happen. While we don't know much about the situation at this point, we are investigating, and we will make sure all the parents and individuals involved receive the necessary counseling."
Students were dismissed early from classes on Monday, and spent some time talking to Police and school administrators. As of 2:30 p.m., the campus was quiet and controlled, with many expressing shock and disbelief over what had occurred.
"It's just madness," said Anthony Francis, the school's PTSA president. Francis joined a somber crowd of individuals waiting outside the hospital on Monday afternoon for updates on the student's condition.
"This shouldn't have happened," he added.
The Source will provide more details on the incident as they become available.
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