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Indiana law to be reviewed after Noblesville shooting suspect tried as a child

Posted at 2:52 PM, Jun 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-06 21:18:49-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- After the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office announced the suspect in the Noblesville school shooting will be tried as a juvenile, one of Indiana's top lawmakers said he will be reviewing possible changes to the criminal code.

The suspect in the shooting on May 25 at Noblesville West Middle School is 13 years old, meaning he is below the minimum age for the acts to be considered "adult" crimes. Because of his age and the fact that neither victim was killed in the shooting, the prosecuting attorney petitioned for the suspect to be charged as a "delinquent child," meaning that he committed acts that would be a felony or misdemeanor crimes if they were committed by an adult. 

RTV6 is not naming the suspect because he is not being charged as an adult.

House Speaker Brian Bosma said he will be reviewing current laws in relation to charging juveniles as adults. 

"In light of the Noblesville West Middle School incident and the recent charges brought against the shooter, we are reviewing current state law in regards to juveniles being charged as adults," Bosma said in a statement. "Given the heinous acts that led to a teacher and student being seriously harmed, I think it's important for us to take a thoughtful look at our criminal code and whether changes to the law are appropriate."

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb agreed with Bosma's statement to review the criminal code for any possible changes. 

"I think it's open for discussion," Holcomb said. "I think in this case, the law is the law. We'll administer it appropriately. But I do want to talk to some prosecutors and those on the front lines to take another look at this. So I concur with the Speaker on this that coming up in the next session, we're going to take a look at it."

Hogsett said in an interview Wednesday that it's important to take a "thoughtful" look at the criminal code and whether or not any changes to the law are appropriate. 

"Obviously in this case, the law is the law," said Hogsett. "So, we'll administer it appropriately. But, I do want to talk to some prosecutors and those on the front lines to take another look at this." 

Any possible changes wouldn't affect the Noblesville suspect, but it would impact any similar situations in the future. 

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