Student With Pellet Gun Shot

[Lone Gunman]

Deputies Shoot Teen Accused Of Toting Look-Alike Handgun

LONGWOOD, Fla. -- It was in an instant, with a SWAT team surrounding him, that Christopher David Penley slipped into an alcove in a school bathroom and raised what officers believed was a black 9 mm Beretta handgun, authorities said.

Moments later, a deputy shot him.

The 15-year-old had been holding what turned out to be a pellet gun, authorities said. He was on advanced life support Friday night, and the hospital refused to release any information Saturday morning.

At a news conference following the shooting Friday at suburban Orlando's Milwee Middle School, authorities put the weapon side-by-side with a Beretta. It appeared to have black paint covering the red or pink markings on the muzzle that may have indicated to officers that it was a nonlethal weapon.

"As you can see, it doesn't take a professional to see how close this looks to the real thing. I would not be able to tell the difference," said Joyce Dawley, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent in charge of the investigation.

Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger said the incident began about 9:38 a.m., when another student saw Penley with the weapon and struggled with him for it. Pointing the gun at the other student's back, Penley directed him to a closet, dimmed the lights and left the classroom, Eslinger said.

The school went into lockdown.

From there, the sheriff said, he "traveled with this firearm throughout the campus" before ending up in a bathroom. By then, more than 40 officers, including SWAT and negotiators, were on scene. He refused to drop the firearm, Eslinger said.

"During this standoff, and during the chase, the student said he was going to kill himself or die," Eslinger said.

At Penley's home, a person who answered the phone Saturday said the family wasn't ready to discuss what had happened.

Those who know Penley say he was unhappy and being bullied at school. He had run away from home several times, said Kelly Swofford, a neighbor whose 11-year-old son was friends with Penley.

"He said he had something planned," said Jeffery Swofford, 11. "He said `I hope I die today because I don't really like my life."'

He also said that Penley was in a disagreement with someone, allegedly over a girl. There was going to be a fight Friday, he said. "I heard a rumor that he had a BB gun, but I didn't think he really had one," he added.

Classes were canceled for the rest of the day, buses were called in early and parents who saw live television news coverage hurried to pick up their children. Resource officers were called to consult with faculty, and social workers were on scene to talk with children who remained waiting for a ride.

Sarah Tivy, a 12-year-old seventh grader, said some students were frightened during the incident, but she was calm.

"I just figured that if someone is going to bring a gun to school, then they need to be taken out of school," she said.

Marie Hargis, whose 14-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter go to Milwee, stood in front of the school with a sign that read "Stop the violence."

"My youngest daughter is just very emotionally messed up," she said. "She started crying and said, `Mommy, I don't want to go back.' They should not fear having to go to school."

[Highwayman]

People that point toy guns at folks with real guns have got to be among the dumbest people on earth.

[Lone Gunman]

That they are Highway that they are. He knew he would be killed when he took the gun to school.

[TexKan]

I heard this morning he is on "assisted" life support - he's not dead and they havesn't really said how bad he really is. It is sad - these kids are so young to be goin crazy........I think our kids are just bein made into adults far to quickly. Often parents are just too busy makin a livin that they don't see thier kids slippin away. Just really sad.

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

People that point toy guns at folks with real guns have got to be among the dumbest people on earth.

Suicide by cop.

[TexKan]

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

Suicide by cop.

Just another job that society dumps off on those who protect and serve. I hate to think of the investigation that poor cop will go thru and how he must feel now. Just makes me sick.

[wordsmythe]

He shouldn't feel the least bit bad. He did exactly what he should have done and anyone else would have done.

[TexKan]

My point was that WE feel like he was justified - He won't. My kids feel bad when they have to shoot a dog........ the paperwork and investigation really drags you down - they investigate ANY firing of your weapon.

[Highwayman]

Update. I just heard on the news that the kid died.

Think of it as adding a little chlorine to the gene pool.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

Update. I just heard on the news that the kid died.

Think of it as adding a little chlorine to the gene pool.