CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Thursday's fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy marks at least four incidents of off-campus teen violence involving CCISD students that have resulted in death.
Corpus Christi Police Department officers were called to a shooting at 5:10 a.m. Thursday where they found a 13-year-old boy dead from a gunshot wound.
While he wasn't able to speak specifically to Thursday's shooting, teen violence is a trend that Nueces County Court at Law No. 5 Judge Timothy McCoy seems to be on the rise.
"Absolutely, yes -- in the last year," he said. "In my observation, there has been an increase in violent crimes, fighting in school, that kind of thing. There has been an increase, of course -- we had a few murders in the last year, alleged murders and as a result, our (juvenile) detention center is full."
McCoy's court specializes in cases involving juveniles and the elderly.
A Corpus Christi Police Department probable cause statement obtained by 3NEWS paints a picture of what happened in the moments following the shooting death of the 13-year-old Thursday.
Officers say multiple people at the residence in the 4000 block of Gloria Street told them that 17-year-old Nicholas Hernandez was the only person outside with the victim when the shooting occurred.
Witnesses reportedly told police that Hernandez made several 'outcry statements' saying that he had shot the boy.
He then allegedly cut his ankle monitor and fled the scene with a handgun believed to the one used in the shooting.
Officers later got a tip that the suspect was hiding out at the Wiggins Apartments near 19th and Ruth. When they located the apartment, they tried to knock on the door for several minutes before the 17-year-old jumped out from a second story window and fled the scene on foot.
Hernandez was then found hiding underneath a house in the 1000 block of 23rd Street, where he was eventually removed and taken into custody.
Authorities said they chose to arrest the 17-year-old for murder based on the statements they took from involved parties, and the fact that the suspect reportedly confessed to the shooting several times and fled from police at the scene.
Community members expressed their concern following the shooting.
"It's terrible you hope and pray it doesn't happen, it's happening everywhere, you hope and pray at least they don't die, but that's out of your hands," said resident Edward San Miguel.
Below is the story we published before the 12:04 p.m. update.
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A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed Thursday afternoon on the 4000 block of Gloria Street, per city police.
CCPD officers received a call for the incident at 5:10 p.m. before arriving at the scene to find that the boy had suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
A 17-year-old identified as Nicholas Hernandez was arrested for murder and is now being held on a $750,000.00 bond.
This is an active investigation, if you have any information, please contact detectives at 361-886-2840 or if you wish to remain anonymous, 888-TIPS.
Digital director Ana Tamez contributed to this developing story. Stay with 3NEWS for updates.
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