Boy denies charges in school shooting case

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — A 13-year-old boy showed no emotion and said little on Monday as a juvenile court judge read the attempted murder and other charges he faces for a shooting inside a suburban Indianapolis middle school classroom.

The boy wore an orange and white jail uniform as he sat between his parents during a hearing that lasted about 15 minutes. He answered “Yes, your honor” and “No, your honor” to questions from the judge.

The 11 charges against him include two counts of attempted murder for the wounding of a seventh-grade classmate and the science teacher authorities say saved lives by tackling the shooter to end the May 25 attack at Noblesville West Middle School. The Associated Press has not identified the boy because he is charged as a juvenile.

Defense attorney Ben Jaffe told the judge that the boy wouldn’t be talking about the allegations during Monday’s hearing. Hamilton County Magistrate Todd Ruetz entered a denial of the charges, the equivalent of a not-guilty plea.

The boy’s parents avoided reporters as they left the courthouse. Science

teacher Jason Seaman, who also was shot, attended the hearing but also left without speaking with reporters.

A friend of 13-year-old Ella Whistler, who was badly wounded in the shooting, said she wishes the accused shooter could face criminal charges in adult court.

“He made an adult decision,” 12-year-old Kylie Cook said after Monday’s hearing. “You don’t make a threat to bring a gun to school. You don’t think it’s OK to shoot someone and act like you’re going to kill them.”

Under state law, the boy can’t face adult charges because of his age. Prosecutors say children of 13 can only be waived to adult court if they are facing murder charges.