Authorities in Orange County have charged 15-year-old Jacori Redding in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Pinien Dalmacy, following what began as a minor hallway altercation at Oak Ridge High School.
According to Orange County Sheriff John Mina, the tragic incident started when the two students bumped into each other between classes on Thursday. When Dalmacy reportedly declined to apologize, tensions escalated, eventually leading to an agreement to meet for a fight after school at a nearby basketball court.
Police say that’s where Redding pulled out a firearm and shot Dalmacy twice, killing him. The suspect allegedly returned to the school grounds afterward, where deputies quickly located and arrested him.
Redding, who was already facing a grand theft auto charge, is now being held in juvenile detention on a murder charge. During a court appearance on Friday, he appeared emotionless and even smiled when his family called out to him from the courtroom gallery.
Authorities are continuing to investigate how Redding obtained the firearm, and school officials have stated that additional safety measures will be reviewed following the tragedy.
The Orange County Public Schools district confirmed that Dalmacy had joined the district only last year and expressed condolences to his family and classmates.
“This senseless act of violence has shaken our community,” Sheriff Mina said. “Two young lives have been destroyed over something that should never have happened.”