ELLIS COUNTY, Texas -- The teenager accused of shooting and injuring two others at Italy High School earlier this year will be tried as an adult.
The suspect, 16-year-old Chad Padilla, faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. During a hearing at the Waxahachie courthouse Tuesday, a judge made the decision to try him as an adult. He had previously not been identified due to being a juvenile.
Padilla is accused of going into the cafeteria of Italy High School in January and shooting at a 15-year-old female classmate with a handgun. He shot her six times, barely missing a male student.
It was revealed in court Tuesday that the gun Padilla used belonged to his father.
Students tell WFAA the suspect had issues before the shooting that were reported to the school. In one incident, a student said he threw scissors at her. Students say the school let him stay even though many felt he was a threat.
The teen girl who was shot, Noelle Jones, survived the shooting. Administrators say they're blown away by her strength and spirit.
