Tragedy again.
Classes will resume Friday at Central High School, one day after ashooting that killed a sophomore and left a freshman charged withmurder.
“I want to assure parents, despite this isolated incident, ourschools are safe,” Superintendent Jim McIntyre said at a pressconference with law enforcement this afternoon.
McIntyre said students need to be able to return to a structured routine after a crisis such as today’s shooting.
Police at the press conference said they still haven’t settled on amotive for this morning’s shooting in the Central cafeteria, whichkilled 15-year-old Ryan McDonald and left Jamar B. Siler, also 15,charged with first-degree murder and an unspecified probation violation.
Siler’s attorney, Knox County Public Defender Mark Stephens, said ina Juvenile Court hearing this afternoon that he needs time to conduct apsychological evaluation on the boy, who’s accused of shooting McDonaldonce, then leaving the school.
Judge Tim Irwin set a preliminary hearing for next Wednesday and atrial date for Sept. 17. He allowed Siler’s family to visit with himfor 30 minutes at the juvenile detention center.
Prosecutors have 10 days to decide whether they’ll ask to transfer the case to adult Criminal Court.