Boy, 16, held in deadly library shooting spree
CLOVIS, N.M. — Authorities yesterday identified the gunman accused of opening fire inside a New Mexico public library as a 16-year-old high school student who they say killed a youth librarian and a second employee while wounding four people, including a 10-year-old boy. Witnesses said the teen seemed to fire randomly during the rampage.
Nathaniel Jouett will face two counts of first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to commit a violent felony, four counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of child abuse, said Clovis Police Chief Douglas Ward. Investigators had not uncovered evidence that Jouett knew the victims.
The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles accused of crimes but is identifying Jouett because of the seriousness of the crime and because authorities said they plan to file a motion requesting the case’s transfer from the juvenile system to adult court.
Ford said it was not immediately clear how Jouett obtained the weapons. The chief also said it is still unclear what prompted the violence Monday afternoon at the Clovis-Carver Public Library, saying investigators are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews to piece together what happened.
Gunfire erupted inside the library about 4 p.m. Monday. It was unclear how many people were inside at the time, but witnesses reported that parents, children and other patrons were hiding under tables and behind closed doors as the shots rang out.
Police stormed the building with their guns drawn and found Jouett, who immediately surrendered.
The two library workers killed were circulation assistant Wanda Walters, 61, and youth services librarian Kristina Carter, 48.
Another circulation assistant, Jessica Thron, 30, was injured and authorities identified the wounded library patrons as 10-year Noah Molina, his 20-yearold sister Alexis Molina and 53-year-old Howard Jones.
The three adults were in serious condition and the boy was in stable condition yesterday at University Medical Center in Texas, according to chief medical officer Mike Ragain.
City Manager Tom Phelps said the community of about 40,000 is still in shock.
“You hear about this in other communities but not Clovis,” he said.