On Tuesday police charge the 15-year-old Robert Wayne Gladden Jr., Perry Hall High School student who on Monday opened fire in the school cafeteria shooting a fellow student, with attempt to first-degree murder and first-degree assault according to the Baltimore County police.
The sophomore has been charged as an adult rather than a minor and is currently being held without bail with a preliminary court hearing set for September 7.
Gladden Jr. updated his Facebook status as "First day of school, last day of my life. ... f--- the world," just before he opened fire in a packed cafeteria on Monday. Police say the alleged shooter is cooperating and will soon be evaluated for any mental health issues.
According to Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson, there was a reported case of the shooter being bullied, but police refrain from labeling bullying as a motive this early into investigation. Robert W. Gladden, father of the shooter, admitted to police that his son was a victim of bullying at school.
On Monday at the Perry Hall High School in Baltimore, Maryland, Gladden entered a cafeteria with almost 200 students around 10.45 when he opened fire. A school resource officer immediately rushed to stop the student, when the second fire was shot. Daniel Borowy, 17-year-old student was shot in the back.
Borowy remains in serious condition at Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Police say other students suffered minor injuries, none of them were gun-shot related.
The school's superintendent Dallas Dance told reporters of Associated Press, "We have some heroic and brave faculty members...They responded very quickly to minimize damage."
The school was immediately evacuated, as police took a young shirtless man into custody. Police have revealed neither motive nor any information on the type of weapon that was used. But WJZ News, a CBS affiliate, reports that the shooting may be related to a bullying incident.
Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive, told CBS Baltimore, "I want to offer reassurance to everyone that the police department has the situation well under control... It was a random act of shooting....It's a difficult world we live in today. I kind of hoped Baltimore County would be immune, from this type of activity, but apparently we are not."
Governor Martin O'Malley released a statement: "Today, on this first day of school for many students in our State, we've suffered a senseless act of violence. I'd like to thank the teachers and administrators for their courageous and life-saving actions. At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the injured student and his family," as reported by WJZ News.
