During a press conference Monday afternoon, Matthews Police Department confirmed the identities of the suspect and victim in the deadly shooting at Butler High School early Monday morning.
Sixteen-year-old Jatwan Craig Cuffie was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Bobby McKeithen. First reports indicate that shortly after 7 a.m., a conflict began with bullying and then escalated, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox.
āAs fear took over, the young person brought a gun to solve the problems,ā Wilcox said, implying that Cuffie was the one who was bullied. Matthews Police Department Captain Stason Tyrrell wouldnāt confirm that information during the conference.
Social media posts from inside the school shows students reacting to the gunshots.
The school was placed on lockdown around 8 a.m. but was lifted later that morning. Dozens of parents rushed to the school to pick up their students. However, classes continued for students who remained in school.
Wilcox said that the decision to keep students in class was for their safety until transportation could be arranged with their families.
School is closed for staff and students on Tuesday. Teachers have the option to return for the scheduled teacher workday on Wednesday. Classes will resume for students on Thursday.
Katrina Louis is managing editor of qcitymetro.com who can always find something to do in Charlotte. Sheās an offline hustler (and has the shirt to prove it) but when online, find her on Instagram and Twitter.
