Feb. 9, 2007– A 16-year-old male charged with shooting a student at Charlotte Amalie High School on Monday has been remanded to the Youth Rehabilitation Center on St. Croix pending trial, according to acting Police Commissioner James McCall.
When contacted Friday evening, McCall said the juvenile was arrested after his parents turned him over to police on Thursday. The minor went before a judge in the Family Court Division of V.I. Superior Court on Friday. Since this is a juvenile case, no details on the suspect, including his name, can be released to the public.
The victim of the shooting incident, who underwent emergency surgery on Monday afternoon, sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest. He has since been recovering at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
In the wake of the incident, CAHS administrators and students have continued with the regular school schedule and on Friday welcomed a visitor from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the school accreditation agency.
CAHS was re-accredited in 2005; however, that status is contingent upon the school meeting certain conditions, including keeping its facilities up to par.
Late last month, the school suffered a blow in that department, as an arson fire ravaged one of the classrooms in Building C.
However, officials within the Department of Education have remained confident about the visit from Middle States, saying that parents, teachers and community members have consistently supported CAHS' improvement efforts.
Touring the campus on Friday, Middle States Project Coordinator Clair Brown Jr. also seemed positive, praising CAHS Principal Jeanette Smith-Barry and complimenting students on their academic performance.
When asked whether the two incidents could affect the school's status, Brown said, "Hey, I was a school administrator myself. Things happen that you can't control. All we're looking for is the school's commitment to improve and continue its accreditation efforts."
Brown's tour of CAHS concludes on Tuesday.
The Source will have more details on the school's accreditation status when they become available.
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