A 12-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting a classmate at a South Carolina middle school may possibly be tried as an adult in the case.
Prosecutors on Monday asked a judge to move the case out of Family Court and into general sessions court, but did not include any explanation as to why the boy should be charged as an adult, the Associated Press reported.
If convicted of murder as an adult, the boy could face anywhere from 30 years up to life in prison. If convicted as a juvenile, he could only be held in jail until he turns 22, according to the AP.
It's not clear when a decision will be made.
The shooting happened March 31 at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville, about two hours northeast of Columbia.
Jamari Jackson, 12, died at the hospital after he was shot by the suspect in the hallway between classes, according to police.
After the shooting, the suspect ran away from the school and was found about an hour later hiding under a deck.
Officials have released few details about what led to the shooting, but an initial police report classified it as "possibly gang related," WYFF reported.
The suspect, whose name is being withheld because of his age, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm on school property and unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under the age of 18. He remains in custody at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.
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