Anthony Rivers III, 15, will face adult court over a Tallahassee shooting that left 11 people with gunshot wounds. Florida prosecutors want the teen tried on serious felony counts after violence broke out near Florida A&M University following a homecoming football game.
Perry Street was packed with fans near Bragg Memorial Stadium when gunfire broke out. Vendors had set up food and clothing stalls along the blocked-off road, a popular spot for fans to gather. The game itself had drawn a crowd of more than 20,000.
Six victims were still in the hospital after the attack, with one in critical condition. Police counted six children among those hit by bullets, while another person suffered an injury not linked to gunfire. Leon County schools confirmed that four students from the district were among the wounded.
Tallahassee police chief Lawrence Revell believes a fight between people who knew each other may have led to the shots. None of those hurt seemed to be the planned targets, based on the early probe. And detectives have not ruled out taking more suspects into custody.
Judge Andrew Sheeran agreed to move Rivers' case into adult court after prosecutor Jack Campbell sought the change. Campbell cited the gravity of the case and said he had consulted colleagues who handle youth crime before making his call. Florida law permits such a move for certain offenses.
Rivers faces 11 charges of attempted murder in the second degree, along with one charge tied to unlawful gun possession due to his juvenile record. A court also ruled that he must stay in custody. No finding of guilt has been made.
During his hearing, the teen stood without speaking as his public defender handled the case. He wore casual clothes and kept his hands behind his back. The lawyer said she had worked with him before, but her office gave no further comment. Attempts to contact his family did not yield a response.
The area has faced another severe campus shooting. At nearby Florida State University, an attack left two dead and six hurt. Prosecutors are seeking capital punishment for Phoenix Ikner, who denies the charges and has yet to stand trial.
Campbell believes the Perry Street attack had the potential for far greater harm given how many people gather there. For Florida A&M students and fans, the road is a familiar part of game-day life.
Perry Street was packed with fans near Bragg Memorial Stadium when gunfire broke out. Vendors had set up food and clothing stalls along the blocked-off road, a popular spot for fans to gather. The game itself had drawn a crowd of more than 20,000.
Six victims were still in the hospital after the attack, with one in critical condition. Police counted six children among those hit by bullets, while another person suffered an injury not linked to gunfire. Leon County schools confirmed that four students from the district were among the wounded.
Tallahassee police chief Lawrence Revell believes a fight between people who knew each other may have led to the shots. None of those hurt seemed to be the planned targets, based on the early probe. And detectives have not ruled out taking more suspects into custody.
Judge Andrew Sheeran agreed to move Rivers' case into adult court after prosecutor Jack Campbell sought the change. Campbell cited the gravity of the case and said he had consulted colleagues who handle youth crime before making his call. Florida law permits such a move for certain offenses.
Rivers faces 11 charges of attempted murder in the second degree, along with one charge tied to unlawful gun possession due to his juvenile record. A court also ruled that he must stay in custody. No finding of guilt has been made.
During his hearing, the teen stood without speaking as his public defender handled the case. He wore casual clothes and kept his hands behind his back. The lawyer said she had worked with him before, but her office gave no further comment. Attempts to contact his family did not yield a response.
The area has faced another severe campus shooting. At nearby Florida State University, an attack left two dead and six hurt. Prosecutors are seeking capital punishment for Phoenix Ikner, who denies the charges and has yet to stand trial.
Campbell believes the Perry Street attack had the potential for far greater harm given how many people gather there. For Florida A&M students and fans, the road is a familiar part of game-day life.
