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MATTHEWS, N.C. –
A high school freshman in North Carolina was charged with first degree murder after killing another student, police said on Monday.
The shootout in Butler High School's hallway at Matthews is the result of a brawl between the victim and the suspect, said Matthews police captain Stason Tyrrell. Early reports indicate that the conflict began with uncontrollable bullying, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg superintendent of schools, Clayton Wilcox.
"And while fear took hold of fear, a young man bought a gun to solve the problems," Wilcox said.
Tyrrell identified the victim as a sophomore of 16 years old. The suspect, also aged 16, is in Mecklenburg County prison, he said.
The shooting took place just before the final bell rang for students to go to their classrooms, according to Tyrrell.
He said that a school officer was in the cafeteria area when he heard a hubbub in an adjoining hallway at 7:14 pm, in the company of school security.
The school immediately entered a prison, said Tyrrell.
According to Tyrrell, two other police officers, including a school resource officer leading traffic in front of the school, entered the school in minutes.
About five to seven minutes after the shooting, authorities learned from a teacher that she was with the alleged gunman, said Tyrrell. The suspect admitted to shooting, and at around 7:25, said he wanted to surrender, Tyrrell said.
No one else was hurt in the shooting.
"This event actually started a few days before this morning, so what happened this morning has grown," Tyrrell said.
He said that several people knew that there was a possibility of altercation Monday morning.
"And we just had this information after that," he said.
Wilcox stated that schools do not have metal detectors and that students are not searched when they enter the building.
"Some people asked how anyone, especially a student, could visit one of our campuses with a loaded gun," Wilcox said. "And I'd like to have an answer to that – there's really no easy answer."
The director said the school would be closed Tuesday.
Matthews is located about 22 miles southeast of Charlotte.
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