Source: The Hill
A remote-learning class in Florida was interrupted Tuesday when the mother of an elementary student was shot and killed during an online Zoom session, police said.
The shooting occurred in Indiantown, Fla., during a morning class session for Warfield Elementary and the instructor heard her 10-year-old student reacting to what seemed like a violent commotion behind her, NBC News reported.
Five other children were reportedly in the home while the shooting took place. None of the children were injured.
Their mother, Maribel Rosado-Morales, 32, was shot multiple times and died at the hospital.
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said the suspect, Donald J. Williams, was taken into custody that day and is facing first-degree murder charges and other felony offenses.
“The teacher’s online — I’ve never done a Zoom with children, so I’m picturing there’s other children on — and the teacher can see the children. The teacher said she heard a commotion, heard profanity,” Snyder said.
He added that the teacher “realized there was some type of domestic altercation” and muted the 10-year-old’s audio feed to protect other children from hearing the incident, adding that the affected child put her hands to her ears.
“Almost immediately after the child put her hands up to her ears, the computer screen went blank. We know the computer was hit with a projectile,” Snyder said.
Snyder also said it is likely most of the children in the class witnessed the shooting.
Following the shooting, Williams left the home and attempted to flee on a bus. He was apprehended and made a full confession, authorities said.
It is unclear whether an attorney represents Williams.
A Martin County School District spokesperson released a statement, saying, “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and children who were witnesses to this heartbreaking and senseless tragedy.”
School officials at Warfield Elementary said grief counselors would be provided for those who need them following the incident.