The victim's mother, Latoya Nicholson, identified the sophomore as Timothy Barnes Jr. She said her son was shot in the head and is currently "brain dead."
Editor's note: This article was originally published on November 5, 2021. It has since been updated.
Trigger Warning: This story discusses gun violence which may be disturbing to readers.
A 16-year-old boy who was waiting at his school bus stop is now in critical condition after being shot in his head by a 17-year-old teen. According to CNN, the grave incident occurred on November 2, 2021, police in Gwinnett County, Georgia, said. According to Lawrenceville Police Department Lt. Jake O. Parker, officers were dispatched to the Saddle Shoals neighborhood around 6:30 a.m. "in reference to someone who heard a gunshot and then saw kid lying in the street."
Apparently, the teen was at the bus stop when two other kids—the 17-year-old suspect and another 18-year-old boy— walked up to him, and the suspect shot the victim in the head before fleeing. Neighbors who spotted the two of them running through yards called the cops on them, per KAKE. They're both in police custody now, Parker added.
The shooting was the result of a tiff that occurred between the teens a day prior to the incident, the cop added. “They had a history where they had some sort of conflict, and of course, this was the result,” he said.
16-year-old Timothy Barnes Jr. was shot in the head at a bus stop and is "brain dead," according to his mom. 💔 She said she now has to make the decision on whether or not to take him off of life support. https://t.co/vNVK2ypeRI
— WFMY News 2 (@WFMY) November 3, 2021
The victim's mother, Latoya Nicholson, identified the sophomore as Timothy Barnes Jr. She said her son was shot in the head and is currently "brain dead." "He’s on life support, but they’re doing everything they can do," said Nicholson, according to 11 Alive. Nicholson said her son is the youngest of five. "My son was into sports, school," she said.
Central Gwinnett High School’s principal, Shane Orr, confirmed the shooting in a statement to students.
“I do not have many details at this point, as this situation is still being investigated by the police. I have been notified that a 10th grader at our school has been identified as the victim. The police do have the person responsible in custody, and, unfortunately, the preliminary information I have received is that this individual is also a student at our school,” Orr said.
He then mentioned that there is no update on the student's condition. “This is a grave situation and our thoughts are with the family of this student,” he said.
These young people don't understand the severity of their consequences. This is extremely sad. Praying for the family🙏🙏
— SassyT (@SassyT30629158) November 3, 2021
"Again, while this incident did not occur at school, it does touch all of us in the Central community--our students, families, staff members, and community. As always, we appreciate your support of our students and school and ask that we all be there for each other during this difficult time," Orr's statement said.
The shooting is currently under investigation, police said.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/03/us/georgia-gwinnett-county-school-bus-stop-shooting/index.html
https://www.kake.com/story/45116471/16yearold-georgia-high-school-student-shot-at-bus-stop
Cover Image Source: YouTube | CBS46 Atlanta (Student in hospital after being shot at bus stop)
