Public Defender Says Teen Accused in School Shooting Had Been Bullied

OMAHA–(KFOR Sept. 11)–The attorney for a 14-year-old student accused of shooting a 15-year-old student Tuesday afternoon at Omaha Northwest High School says the teen was bullied to the point of securing an early release from school for his own safety.

At the preliminary hearing in Douglas County Court on Wednesday, the defender for Ramone Jefferson said what happened Tuesday wasn’t a random act and that Ramone was severely bullied to the point where his mother considered him transferring schools. According to court records, the defender said officials at Northwest were notified of the bullying and granted Jefferson a school pass to leave early for his safety.

Court documents say Jefferson admitted to shooting the 15-year-old victim once. The wounded teen was found in a hallway of the school with a gunshot to the torso. He remains in stable condition at a Omaha hospital. Court records also say security cameras at Northwest caught footage of the two boys in a fight near a classroom, after the victim approached Jefferson. A shot came from a gun concealed in Jefferson’s hoodie pocket and both teens fled in different directions.

Omaha Public Schools says they are reviewing their safety policies.