12-year-old student killed in South Carolina middle school shooting 

A 12-year-old student was allegedly killed by another student in a South Carolina middle school on Friday, authorities reported. 

The shooter, another 12-year-old student, is currently in custody. However, he ran from the school and was found an hour after the shooting, hiding under the deck of a house near Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville. The student was still armed, said Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis. Authorities have not released his identity.

“In regards to the shooting that occurred this afternoon at Tanglewood Middle School the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office can confirm that a 12-year-old student has passed away and the shooter is in custody,” wrote the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office in a statement posted on Facebook.

“He was hiding. He’s a young man, probably didn’t understand the consequences of what had just happened,” the sheriff said at a news conference. “I don’t think he knew what to do, honestly, except for to leave the school.”

The police report indicates that the incident happened at around 12:00 p.m. and was reported by a school resource office worker who heard the gunshots. Around 200 deputies and other law enforcement officers arrived at the school. 

The victim, identified as Jamari Cortez Bonaparte Jackson, was shot at least one time. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

“We are all devastated by today’s tragedy. We love Jamari dearly,” Jamari’s family said in a statement. 

The suspect, male, is being charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a firearm on school property, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under the age of 18, added the statement. 

The motive for the shooting is still under investigation. However, investigators claim that the two boys knew each other. 

“My heart breaks for this young boy’s family, and my prayers are with them tonight. Additionally, I will be praying for the other young boy who pulled the trigger and his family. I can not fathom what would cause someone to do this to another human being and especially at that age, but I know it’s a situation where we all need to turn to God,” said Sheriff Lewis.