A 16-year-old student in Florida was killed after a brief hallway encounter escalated into tragedy, and authorities say another teenager will now face adult charges in the case.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 15-year-old Jacori Redding has been arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm and possession of a firearm on school property. Officials have not indicated whether he has entered a plea or secured legal representation.
Prosecutors confirmed to multiple local outlets — including Click Orlando, WFTV, and WESH — that Redding will be tried as an adult.
Investigators say Redding and 16-year-old Pinien Dalmacy bumped into each other on Oct. 9 at Oak Ridge High School in Sky Lake, Florida, leading to an argument.
“Pinien told Jacori to apologize, and he would not, so the two sophomores agreed to fight after school at the park,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Before that fight could happen, Redding allegedly shot Dalmacy and fled back to the school, according to Sheriff John Mina, who spoke during an Oct. 10 press conference. A school resource officer quickly responded after hearing radio reports of the gunfire, prompting a lockdown. Redding was later found in the school cafeteria, where he was allegedly carrying a gun inside his backpack.
Authorities have not disclosed how Redding obtained the weapon. Sheriff Mina also revealed that Redding had been facing charges in a grand theft auto case at the time of the shooting.
“My heart aches for Pinien’s family, who are grieving this unimaginable loss,” Mina said. “And I’m angry that something as small as bumping into someone in the halls of a high school can result in a shooting death.”
A GoFundMe campaign described Dalmacy as “full of light, always smiling, always dancing, and loved by everyone who knew him.”
Redding is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 12, according to WESH.
