On National School Walkout Day, Ocala Student Shot, Wounded

OCALA, FL –On a day when high school students were participating in a National School Walkout against gun violence, an Ocala, Florida, student was shot and wounded on his school campus.

According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the 17-year-old Forest High School student was shot in the ankle Friday morning, April 20, and was taken to a local hospital. The 19-year-old shooter, who was a former student at the school, was taken into custody within three minutes after the shooting. He did not offer any resistance, according to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. No law enforcement officers fired any shots.

The suspect was identified as Sky Bouche of Cyrstal River. Bouche was arrested after firing a shot at a closed classroom door. After firing the shot, he dropped his shotgun and waited in a hallway, talking with a teacher until a school resource officer and the school principal arrived, authorities said.

The Ocala Star Banner reported that he is being held on these charges: terrorism, aggravated assault with a firearm, culpable negligence, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of a firearm on school property, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, interference in school function and armed trespass on school property.

While being taken to the jail Friday evening, Bouche told reporters he was sorry for the shooting.

The sheriff's office bused the school's estimated 2,300 students to First Baptist Church of Ocala where parents were asked to pick them up.

The shooting occurred at 8:30 a.m. before high school students around the country were scheduled to walk out of school at 10 a.m. Friday, the 19th anniversary of the school shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

Woods said the school resource officer heard the gunshot and acted quickly to get first responders to the scene. He said the sheriff's office's response plan worked perfectly.

"It's a shame this is what society has become," said Woods who spent his Thursday afternoon in nearby Gilchrist County, Florida, where two deputies were shot and killed in a restaurant. "We as a whole need to do something."

Chris Oliver, whose 16-year-old son is a Forest High student, said the teen told him the shooting happened near his classroom. The boy said the shooter was standing in a hallway and fired at a closed classroom door, the Star-Banner reported.

Craig Ham, deputy superintendent of operations, told the Star-Banner that the gunman carried a shotgun in a guitar case into the school. The gunman was a former student and was able to walk in with other students. Ham said the gunman fired at the bottom of a locked classroom door and pellets struck the victim in the ankle.

The Marion County School District said its schools were not participating in the national school walkout. Instead, the district planned to set aside time for the students to talk about the school shootings.

"(Today), public high school students in Marion County have the opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions when it comes to school safety. These trades of philosophies are structured around citizenship and responsible civic participation.

The following press release was issued by the Marion County School District:

"Instead of walking out of class, Marion County students will constructively use a 30-minute time period to exchange ideas, discuss differing opinions, and offer hard-thought solutions on how our community should address school tragedies like the Parkland, Florida shooting in February.

"Just days after that shooting, Marion County Superintendent Dr. Heidi Maier announced April 20 would offer students a civic opportunity and student-led activities to openly discuss and safely voice their concerns for school safety in today’s world.

"Marion County’s seven traditional public high school principals have worked with student leaders to tailor activities for their respective campuses, realizing what one campus wants is different than what another campus wants. Schools and students will recognize the difference of opinions in their student bodies during events and activities closed to the public. For safety reasons, students will not be permitted to leave campus during these specific times.

"A civic resources guide has been available at www.marionschools.net for several weeks now, providing students resources and ideas for potential activities for this Friday."

Image via Marion County Sheriff's Office

Images via Samuel J. Matychak III