Teen charged with murder in killing of classmate
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Jaime Rodrigo Gough
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PALMETTO BAY, Florida (AP) -- A 14-year-old boy was charged with murder in the slaying of a classmate, a musician and baseball player who was found bleeding to death in a middle school bathroom.
The two boys "knew each other very well," said Chief Pete Cuccaro of the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department. He refused to elaborate on their relationship.
Jaime Rodrigo Gough, 14, was found early Tuesday at Southwood Middle School, a magnet school specializing in visual and performing arts, authorities said. His neck had been slashed.
Michael Hernandez, 14, signed a statement admitting he killed the boy and the knife used in the attack was found in his backpack, Miami-Dade County police Detective Randy Rossman said Wednesday. Police had obtained a search warrant for the backpack.
The slaying was the second inside a school this week. A 17-year-old boy was shot in a Washington, D.C., high school hallway Monday.
In the Florida shooting, Hernandez was charged with first-degree murder late Tuesday, police said. A court appearance was set for Wednesday afternoon.
"We have sufficient information ... to charge him with first-degree murder, which would indicate premeditation," said Miami-Dade police spokesman Juan DelCastillo.
Juveniles charged with first-degree murder in Florida are charged as adults.
Miami-Dade Police Director Carlos Alvarez said authorities found the murder weapon.
The school did not have a history of violence, Miami-Dade School spokesman Mayco Villafana said.
Antonio Gough, who identified himself as the victim's uncle, said school officials told the family that Jaime had been stabbed. Gough said his nephew was a good student who played baseball, the violin and flute and was not a troublemaker.
"The kids have to know what happened to him," Gough said. "I still can't believe this can happen."
Southwood pupils returned to the school Wednesday morning, and grief counselors were made available.
Larishea Bivens, an eighth grader who said she had known Jaime for five years, said he was a shy boy who was often targeted by bullies.
"He was nice, smart, but they used to pick on him a lot," said Bivens, 14.
More than 1,500 students attend Southwood. Palmetto Bay is one of Miami-Dade County's wealthiest cities.
In the Washington case, Thomas J. Boykin, 18, surrendered to police Tuesday in the shooting of James Richardson, a Ballou High School student who died after being shot several times in the chest. Boykin was scheduled to be arraigned later Wednesday.
Copyright 2004 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
