Middle School Student Suspected in Fatal Shooting Remains at Large: Police By Madison E. Goldberg

A middle school student has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old Texas man.

Lavon Police confirmed in a press release on Monday, Dec. 15 that the 14-year-old juvenile was “taken into custody in Dallas, Texas without incident.” The suspect has not been publicly identified because they are a minor.

“The Lavon Police Department would like to thank the community and the law enforcement agencies who assisted in the investigation and apprehension of this suspect,” police said in a statement.

An earlier press release issued Monday that the 14-year-old was wanted as a suspect in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Romeo English. Police say that the two were involved in an altercation on Dec. 13 at a “small ‘pop up’ gathering at a residence in the 700 block of Wellington Drive in Lavon,” per the press release.

The suspect and victim [were] both at the gathering when a verbal altercation took place which turned physical,” police said. “The resident of the home broke up the physical altercation.”

Police say that shortly after the altercation, the suspect “brandished a firearm and shot the victim multiple times at close range” as the victim was preparing to leave the residence.

Upon investigation, the LPD learned that the suspect, who stands at approximately 5’8″ and weighs 150 pounds, was involved in the incident.

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“We believe this to be an isolated and targeted incident and do not believe there to be a continued threat to the public, however we advise anyone that sees the suspect to call 911 immediately and not to approach him,” the press release added.

Authorities initially discovered English with multiple gunshot wounds. He was brought to a hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries, Fox 4 reports.

Community Independent School District confirmed on Sunday, Dec. 14 that the alleged shooter has been identified as a student at Community Trails Middle School, a representative for the school confirmed to PEOPLE. Community ISD confirmed the 14-year-old last attended school on Nov. 11, and that the shooting of English appears to have been a targeted act, indicating that there is no active threat against the students in the district.

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“While the District does not believe this student poses a threat to any campus, we take the safety and security of our students and staff seriously,” Community ISD said in a statement. After the teen was arrested, the school issued another statement.

“For at least the morning of Tuesday, December 16, our campuses in Lavon – NeSmith Elementary, Dodson Elementary, and Community Trails Middle School – will remain closed to visitors. We will also continue to have an increased security presence on those campuses on Tuesday,” a representative for Community ISD confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE.

In a statement, Lavon Police thanked numerous law enforcement agencies for assisting in the suspect’s apprehension.

“In partnership with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Louisiana State Police, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Bossier Parish Sheriff s Office, Shreveport Police Department, Community Independent School District Police Department, Wylie Police Department, Josephine Police Department, Lavon Fire Department, Wylie ETMC, and Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office we have been able to bring the suspect into custody without further violence in less than 48 hours,” police said.

Anyone with further information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to email [email protected] or call dispatch to connect with an on-duty officer at 972-547-5350.

PEOPLE has reached out to LPD and Community ISD for comment.