Wilson High suspect has criminal record

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The 15-year-old student accused of firing a gun inside Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth Wednesday appeared in court for an arraignment Thursday morning.

At his hearing, prosecutors said the student has quite a history of violence. Prosecutors said the student had five previous charges on file for assault and battery, as well as one for assault against a family member. They also said the student had previously violated his probation and failed to appear in court.

WAVY.com has also learned the student was previously committed to the State Department of Juvenile Justice two years ago.

Wednesday afternoon, police say the 15-year-old male student, whose name will not be released as he's under the age of 18, is charged with discharging a firearm in an occupied school, brandishing a firearm on school property and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.

Classes resumed as normal Thursday morning, but Wednesday afternoon was a much different story.

The student, who school officials say was on suspension from school due to fighting and disorderly conduct, walked into the building and started shooting, school officials said. Police say no one was injured in the incident.

WAVY.com spoke to the teenaged suspect's father Thursday. He said he cannot imagine why his son would have done this and said he is very happy that no one was hurt. He said his son has struggled with getting in trouble before, but he thought he was headed on the right track.

Detective John Doyle told WAVY.com the student with the gun first fired a shot into a wall in a hallway, then he headed for the cafeteria packed with kids eating lunch. There he fired two rounds into the ceiling.

Police said the student dropped the gun inside and ran out of the building, and was caught by a police officer and a school employee.

The student suspect is currently being held at the Tidewater Detention Home and has a preliminary hearing set for May 17.