MATTHEWS, N.C. - Matthews police confirmed the lockdown at Butler High School in Matthews was lifted after one student was shot Monday morning.

[CHOPPER IMAGES: Student shot at Butler High School]

Officials said the victim, identified as 16-year-old Bobby McKeithen, was rushed to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. 

 

 

Officials said another student, 16-year-old Jatwan Cuffie, was taken into custody.

He is charged with first-degree murder. 

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox said one student was upset with another, which led to the shooting in a main hallway just after 7 a.m.

"We’re incredibly saddened that we had a loss of life on one of our campuses today. What makes it doubly difficult is that it was one of our students who was the shooter," Wilcox said. "First of all, our hearts go out to the larger community and to all of the young people who witnessed this tragedy today."

Students told Channel 9 panic set in when they heard the gunshot.

“Teacher was like, ‘Get in the classroom! Get in the classroom!’ So, first thing I did was I went in the classroom,” student Nate Marshall said.

Marshall and his classmates found the safest place they could.

“Was in a little closet, and everybody’s crying in the closet talking about, ‘dude got shot.’”

Police said a school resource officer was nearby and was able to reach the victim within 15 to 20 seconds after the shooting.

They said the officer immediately followed protocol to place the school on lockdown and inform other law enforcement.

“Our school resource officer called in that there was a shot fired in the school and that he had a victim of a gunshot wound,” Capt. Stason Tyrell, with the Matthews Police Department, said.

Police said within five to seven minutes of the shooting, a teacher informed officials that she was with the suspected shooter in a classroom.

Officers said Cuffie was taken into custody, and the weapon was also seized by law enforcement. 

[PHOTOS: Student shot at Butler High School]

Police said they don’t believe anyone else was involved.

“We were able to get the victim out of the school, and he was transported by MEDIC to Carolinas Healthcare Uptown. And we can announce that he has succumbed to that wound. He has passed on,” Tyrell said.

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We have several crews on scene monitoring the chaotic situation that unfolded on campus Monday morning. Watch for LIVE updates on Eyewitness News at 5.

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Police said this appears to be an isolated incident, and the school was secured by officers.

Officers said the fight and, presumably, the shooting were captured on surveillance video.

 

 

Families were initially told to meet at Elevation Church on East Independence Boulevard.

Parents desperate for answers started marching from the church to campus just before 9 a.m.

 

 

“We will march back with our children. I would encourage Matthews police to provide us safety as we cross this major highway. Here we go,” one parent said.

They crossed busy Independence Boulevard toward the school, demanding to be reunited with their children.

The families were met by officers who initially prevented them from getting too close to the scene.

>> We had live continuing coverage of the chaos on campus. You can watch live updates on your Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.

Chopper 9 Skyzoom was overhead as families stormed the campus and made their way toward the building.

The district said the lockdown was lifted around 9:15 a.m. and parents were able to pick up their children at the entrance of the school.

 

Students embraced parents and loved ones after they were released from school.

Channel 9 saw many of them in tears, relieved to be reconnected but grieving for the student who was killed.

One teenager said he witnessed the shooting. He said he watched as the argument between students got physical.

“As he was walking away, he was shot in the back,” Jorge Sanchez said. “ I just processed everything what’s going on, and I saw the gun and I had to run.”

[IMAGES: Parents reunite with students after Butler High School shooting]

CMS said families were alerted about the shooting in a phone call and will continue be updated about the situation that way. 

 

CMS said classes proceeded on campus Monday for students that remained at the school.

"Our decision to keep students in class was motivated by one goal and that's to keep our students safe until transportation could be arranged with their families," Wilcox said at a news conference. "What would they have said to us if they had come to school and we couldn't locate their children? I think their fear would have been magnified." 

Games and athletic practices were canceled.

Classes will also be canceled at Butler High School on Tuesday, and there is a scheduled teacher workday on Wednesday. Students will return to campus on Thursday.

Officials said Cuffie, who is in ninth grade, was questioned by officers. McKeithen was in tenth grade.

"First reports indicate that the conflict began with bullying that escalated out of control," Wilcox said. "And as fear took over, a young person brought a gun to solve the problems." 

A CMS spokesperson released the following statement after the shooting.

"Our hearts are with the family, loved ones, friends and everyone affected by the tragedy which occurred this morning at Butler High School. Counseling is available to any student or staff who wishes to speak to someone. The Butler High School community and CMS appreciates the support of the entire community during this difficult time. CMS will provide updates throughout today, as warranted."

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Governor Roy Cooper released the following statement.

"I am heartbroken to hear about today's school violence that has taken the life of a high school student in Matthews, and my family is praying for this community. I have been in touch with local officials to offer condolences and state support as needed. As we get more information it is critical that we come together to do everything in our power to prevent these incidents from happening and keep guns out of our schools."

State Superintendent Mark Johnson also released the below statement.

"I am heartbroken to hear that we have lost a student to school violence in one of our schools. We have contacted Charlotte-Mecklenburg authorities and will assist in any way we can, but of course our first thoughts are for the parents and other loved ones of the student who passed away. The safety of our students is paramount. This is a sad day for all of North Carolina, and we must work together as a community to address these problems."

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for more information.

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