ORLANDO, Fla. — A 15-year-old Boone High School student was shot and killed while walking to school Tuesday morning.
- Boy was walking to school when shot, Sheriff says
- Nearby residents heard gunshots, called authorities
- Boone apologizes for delay of recorded message to families
The Orange County Sheriff's Office and Orlando Police Department are investigating the shooting, which happened at about 6:30 a.m. at Waldo Street and East Kaley Avenue, Sheriff's officials stated. That is about a half-mile from the Boone campus.
The boy lives in the neighborhood and was walking to class when he was shot, Orange County Sheriff John Mina said. Neighbors heard gunshots and called authorities.
The 15-year-old, later identified as Alejandro Vargas Martinez, was taken to a hospital, where he died. He would have turned 16 on New Year's Day.
"It's pretty insane. I mean, there had to be at least 10 shots, I mean I didn’t count them of course but anything’s excessive," witness Jason Witt said.
Boone High was temporarily placed on a "lockout," because of law enforcement activity, a post on the school's Facebook feed said.
A recorded audio message that is typically sent to students' families during lockdowns and other emergency incidents was delayed in its delivery, according to the school. In the Facebook post, Boone apologized for the delay caused by "technical difficulties."
Principal Dusty Johns said additional law enforcement officers would be on campus "out of an abundance of caution," and counselors would be made available for students and staff.
Boone High School student Francis Ramirez says Martinez was a well-known student, and that he had a "good relationship with everyone at school."
Ramirez says the shooting makes her question whether it’s safe for her to return to school.
“I don’t feel safe,” she said.
Deputies have been digging into nearby bushes and using K-9 unit dogs to sniff out the area out as they continue to collect evidence.
There are no known witnesses at this time, and Mina is asking for any information in the case. You're urged to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477), and you can remain anonymous and be eligible for a $10,000 reward.