NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WTHR) - The Noblesville middle school teacher that stopped a school shooting in May said he is "dissatisfied" that the law kept the shooter from being tried as an adult.
Jason Seaman released a statement Wednesday evening, hours after the 13-year-old boy who shot him and a fellow student was ordered to a juvenile detention facility until his 18th birthday, or until he is considered rehabilitated by the Department of Correction.
"The teenager in this case attempted to murder two people with a motive that is unknown and he will be able to rejoin society in roughly five years if not sooner," Seaman wrote. "I cannot speak for others, but in my mind, this is not justice. It is not justice for me and my family nor the other victim and her family."
Neither Seaman nor Ella Whistler, the student who was critically injured in the May 25, 2018 shooting at Noblesville West Middle School, attended Wednesday's sentencing. Her parents testified on her behalf in the shooter's trial last week, saying their daughter never wanted to be in the same room as the shooter ever again.
Jason Seaman's full statement:
"First I must thank Mr. Buckingham and his team at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office. They left no stone unturned throughout the duration of this case. I hope that the decision made this morning will allow some members of the Noblesville community and others impacted by the shooting some closure and further healing.
Ultimately, I believe the Indiana Department of Corrections is where the perpetrator belongs given the two options but I am dissatisfied with the fact that current Indiana law legally prevented prosecutors from trying the perpetrator as an adult. The teenager in this case attempted to murder two people with a motive that is unknown and he will be able to rejoin society in roughly five years if not sooner. I cannot speak for others, but in my mind, this is not justice. It is not justice for me and my family nor the other victim and her family."