T.J. Lane, the 17-year-old accused of shooting and killing three teens and injuring two others at Chardon High School in Ohio on Monday, has been charged as a juvenile with three counts of aggravated murder. This is the first step in the proceedings that could lead to Lane receiving charges as an adult. The charges were announced by Geauga County prosecutor David Joyce. The charges also include two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of felonious assault.
Joyce reported the teen admitted taking a .22 caliber pistol and a knife to the high school and firing 10 shots at a group of students sitting at a table in the cafeteria on Monday morning. A motive in the case has not been determined. If convicted of the charges as a juvenile, Lane would only serve a few years in detention. If Lane is convicted as an adult, he faces life in prison without parole. Minors in the state of Ohio are ineligible for the death penalty, whether they are convicted as juveniles or adults. Classes will resume at Chardon High School on Friday.
