Lamar High School shooter got gun from father, who is now under arrest
For those of you who may have been unaware, there was a school shooting at Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, on March 20th. The unnamed 15-year-old suspect shot and killed 16-year-old Jashawn Poirier with a shotgun. Police believe this was a targeted attack, although Jashawn’s family said there was no reason for him to be targeted. Investigators say that the shooter brought the shotgun to school in his backpack.
In my initial post about the shooting, I wondered where the 15-year-old was able to obtain the shotgun. You know, outside of this being Texas where firearms tend to roam free. However, in true Texas fashion, the shooter got his gun from his father, John Edward Porter.
After the shooting, investigators searched Porter’s home and uncovered a revolver, a Glock, and a rifle. The shotgun used in the shooting was purchased by a relative of Porter’s. By Texas standards, that’s a pretty small arsenal for personal use. The problem is that Porter was a convicted felon who isn’t supposed to own any firearms. In 1996, Porter was convicted of first-degree robbery and sexual battery in Louisiana, for which he was sentenced to three years.
Porter had allegedly tried to buy additional firearms in 2014 and 2020, but was denied because of his criminal record. ATF agents determined the guns Porter did have were brought in from out of state.
Porter is now being held in federal custody.
In other news about the shooting, the shooter is being held at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center and was ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation.
Prosecutors are looking to try the shooter as an adult, since he’s been charged with capital murder. If he is tried as a juvenile, he can still be held for 40 years, but if charged as an adult, he’s looking at life without parole. There is a hearing scheduled for June 23rd to determine the shooter’s status.
So far, no motive has been given for the shooting, however, the shooter’s attorney claims to know, but has not made that information public. Again, this goes back to my previous post where the attorney said we shouldn’t be so quick to rush to judgement. Again, I can’t think of any rational reason that could be defensible for what was essentially an execution.
(Sources)
- Lamar High School shooting suspect ordered to remain in custody, undergo psych evaluation
- Father of Lamar High School shooting suspect arrested, charged with felony possession of a firearm
- Plea deal under discussion for father whose son is accused in Arlington school killing
- Motive in Arlington Lamar High School student’s murder remains unclear
- Teen accused of deadly Arlington Lamar High School shooting could be tried as adult
- Teen Accused of Shooting Fellow Lamar HS Student Appears in Court
- Judge still undecided if accused Lamar High School shooter will be tried as an adult
