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The juvenile charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 13-year-old Quioccasin Middle School student Lucia Bremer is now facing three additional charges after a status hearing on Monday.
Two of the additional charges relate to the second victim — the 12-year-old girl who was with Bremer when she was shot and killed March 26 in Henrico's Far West End. The juvenile suspect has been charged with attempted murder and brandishing of a firearm. Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor did not disclose the name of the other victim at a news conference on Monday, citing the girl’s juvenile status.
The third additional charge is threatening to shoot up a school.
Before the shooting on March 26, the suspect had posted a video on social media depicting a school shooting, according to Taylor, with an accompanying caption about committing a school shooting.
A resident saw the post and reported it to the FBI authorities in Richmond. Law enforcement officials were not aware of the post until after the suspect shot and killed Bremer, according to Taylor.
“It is disturbing enough to have a post about a school shooting, but it was really more of the content of the commentary,” Taylor said. “...what this individual said in the post about how they would do a school shooting.”
The suspect is now facing six total charges. At the time of his arrest, the juvenile was charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a juvenile and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
At the next hearing, scheduled for Sept. 13, the state will present evidence to prove the suspect’s intent, Taylor said.
“...[N]ot necessarily saying that these two young ladies were automatically going to be the victims that day,” Taylor said. “But to show what the intent was when the juvenile went out that day.”
There is still no information that leads the state to believe that the suspect knew either of the two girls, according to Taylor.
“We may not ever know exactly what the motive was for that particular time of day when the young person ventured out and ultimately came in contact with Lucia and the other little girl,” Taylor said.
Charges involving the adult who owns the handgun that was used to kill Lucia may be forthcoming, Taylor said, but that has not been decided yet.
“I anticipate that that is something that will be done,” Taylor said. “We have not forgotten that.”
Prosecutors and the defense attorneys will meet Aug. 20. After the meeting, an announcement will be made regarding whether or not the juvenile will be charged as an adult.
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Anna Bryson is the Henrico Citizen's education reporter and a Report for America corps member. Make a tax-deductible donation to support her work, and RFA will match it dollar for dollar.
