NOBLESVILLE, Ind. — The shooter in the Noblesville West Middle School shooting appeared in court Wednesday morning.
On May 25, 2018, a student opened fire, shooting classmate Ella Whistler and teacher Jason Seaman, who then took down the gunman.
The then-13-year-old boy was ordered to a juvenile prison until his 18th birthday.
At a hearing earlier this month, a Hamilton County judge said the shooter could potentially be released from the juvenile detention center by his 18th birthday. The judge said he would be released to his parents and remain on house arrest, while also required to attend rehabilitation.
On April 19, prosecutors asked the judge to reconsider releasing the shooter due to a recent incident inside the juvenile prison.
Prosecutors said they have an investigator looking into the incident and need more time to present the evidence.
The judge granted a continuance in the case and said the shooter will remain in the juvenile detention center for the time being.
During Wednesday's hearing, the judge told the shooter his "behavior will be scrutinized" and is concerned about the shooter's public safety and lack of remorse for what he did.
Following Wednesday's court hearing, Noblesville Schools issued a statement and provided the following information if the shooter is released:
- He would not be returning to Noblesville Schools or any other Hamilton County schools.
- He would not be allowed on any Noblesville Schools property. A no trespass order from the Noblesville Police Department has been issued.
- He would not be allowed at any Noblesville Schools events, including those held off the property, such as prom and graduation.
- Noblesville Schools and NPD would maintain a heightened awareness.
"We recognize this may be a painful subject for many in our community who are still experiencing hurt, fear and anger regarding the 2018 school shooting. We are sharing this information because we want to make sure all of our families and staff feel supported and informed," the school district said in the statement.
13News spoke with Seamen four years after the shooting took place.
Seaman hadn't spoken publicly about the violence in his classroom in several years, but he reflected on his experience after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
When Seaman, a seventh-grade science teacher, heard about the tragedy in Texas, he said he felt profound sadness but wasn't surprised.
"Not really surprising. Unfortunately, it's a, 'Here we go again.' In my mind, it's the same story, just different characters and...not a lot is changing," Seaman said.
Seaman spent the anniversary of the Noblesville shooting in the same classroom where it happened, still doing what he loves.
"Same room, same everything," Seaman said. "Last night, my wife asked me if I was going to school today, and I said, 'Yeah.' And she's like, 'Are you sure?' And I was like, 'Why?' And she said, 'Well tomorrow's the 25th.' And I said, 'Oh yeah, it is!' The 25th to me is a day, and I'm not going to let it be something that brings negative emotion."
Seaman shrugs off the title of "hero," though the entire community clearly disagrees. He said four years later, his school and the Noblesville district is safer than ever, and he thinks about the tragedy less and less.
"I think we are very safe, and I'm thankful for our district for how they've responded," he said, referring to a referendum that led to more door locks, re-secured windows and mental health help.