There was another shooting at a Florida school, and this time a school resource officer is being hailed as a hero after immediately jumping into action and arresting a man who is now a suspect.
Deputy James “Jimmy” Long of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was celebrated by his colleagues on Friday after he arrested a suspected gunman, Sky Bouche, just three minutes after he opened fire at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida.
Bouche allegedly shot through a classroom door and pellets hit a 17-year-old student in the ankle. The young man was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening wound.
Bouche, 19, said, “Sorry,” and then “It doesn’t matter anyway,” to reporters as he was led from the school in handcuffs. Bouche was a former student at the school.
Later he said to reporters, ”I didn’t shoot anyone.” He ignored most of the other questions until asked what he’d say to the shooting victim. That’s when he said, “Sorry.”
A teacher, Kelly McManis-Panasuk, also helped quell the dangerous situation. She spoke with Bouche during the incident as Jimmy Long, along with Principle Brent Carson, rushed to the scene. Bouche was not injured and did not offer resistance when arrested, according to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods.
Woods praised Long’s quick response as well as school personnel.
Long “did not hesitate. He went right in,” Woods said at a news conference. Woods said Long heard a “large, loud banging sound” and immediately responded.
“Marion County does everything to protect their children,” Woods said.
Bouche is being held on charges of “terrorism, aggravated assault with a firearm, culpable negligence, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a short-barrelled shotgun, interference in school function and armed trespass on school property,” the Ocala Star–Banner reported.
The incident occurred on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Students across the country were holding a walkout to protest gun violence on the anniversary. The Florida school had planned a walkout, students said, but it was canceled.
The injured student, who was not identified, told officials that he was “glad it was me and not one of my friends.”
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