Teen suspect in South Carolina school shooting faces second murder charge

[October 04, 2016]  (Reuters) - A 14-year-old boy suspected in a South Carolina schoolyard shooting last week faces a second murder charge after one of the victims from the incident died from his wounds, a prosecutor said on Monday.

The shooting was the latest in a series of rampages at U.S. schools that have fueled debate over the extent of gun regulations in America.

A charge formerly filed as attempted murder was upgraded to murder after 6-year-old Jacob Hall, who was shot during Wednesday's incident at Townville Elementary School in the northwest part of the state, died on Saturday, Solicitor Chrissy Adams said in a statement.

Hall's funeral was scheduled for Wednesday.

Last week, the teen suspect was charged in the 10th Judicial Circuit court with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Authorities say he shot and killed his father, Jeffrey Osborne, 47, as the man watched television at their home about 2 miles (3 km) from the school.

He then drove to the school where he shot the students and a teacher, police said.

An Anderson County sheriff's deputy stands outside of Townville Elementary School after a shooting in Townville, South Carolina, U.S., September 28, 2016. REUTERS/Nathan Gray

Adams, the South Carolina solicitor, also said on Monday that she filed new petitions for five individual counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Sandra Maler)

[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.