WL-S school shooting update: Prosecutor seeks to try Ely Serna as an adult

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Champaign County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Talebi issued the following press release at 2:52 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21:

On January 20, 2017 at approximately 7:36 a.m., Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a 911 call indicating that there was a school shooting which took place at West Liberty-Salem High School. Upon arrival, law enforcement identified the alleged shooter as Ely Ray Serna, a 17 year old student at West Liberty-Salem High School. Mr. Serna was immediately taken into custody.

The Sheriff’s Office seized a Mossberg Model 500 12 gauge shotgun at the school and this is the weapon that is alleged to have been used by Mr. Serna.

Additionally, L.C. (d.o.b 03/23/00), a juvenile victim who is also a student at West Liberty-Salem High School, was immediately identified and treated for gunshot wounds and is presently in critical but stable condition at a regional hospital.

A second juvenile victim, A.S. (d.o.b 02/01/99) was later identified as having been struck by part of the shot that was discharged from the firearm. A.S. is a student at West Liberty-Salem High School. The injury to A.S. is not life-threatening.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing and continues to be led by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of agents from BCI.

Based upon the information collected and presented to the Champaign County Prosecutor’s Office charges have been authorized and will be filed against Ely Serna in the Champaign County Juvenile Court as follows:

Ct. 1 –​Attempted Murder, in violation of R.C. 2923.02/2903.02(A)(D), 2929.02(B)

Ct. 2 – ​Attempted Murder, in violation of R.C. 2923.02/2903.02(A)(D), 2929.02(B)

Ct. 3 – ​Felonious Assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2)(D)(1)(a)

Ct. 4 – ​Felonious Assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2)(D)(1)(a)

Ct. 5 – ​Felonious Assault, in violation of R.C. 2903.11(A)(2)(D)(1)(a)

Ct. 6 – ​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 7 –​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 8 – ​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 9 – ​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 10 – ​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 11 –​ ​Improperly Discharging a Firearm at or into a Habitation or a School Safety Zone,

in violation of R.C. 2923.161(A)(2)(C)

Ct. 12 – ​Inducing Panic, in violation of R.C. 2917.31(A)(3)(C)(3)

Ct. 13 – ​Illegal Conveyance of Possession of a Deadly Weapon or Dangerous Ordnance in a School Safety Zone in violation of R.C. 2923.122(B)(E)(1)

The nature of the crimes alleged are such that the Champaign County Prosecutor’s Office will be filing a motion on Monday morning requesting that the Juvenile Court relinquish jurisdiction and bind Mr. Serna’s case over to the General Division of the Champaign County Court of Common Pleas so that Mr. Serna may be tried as an adult. If the Court grants the State’s request to relinquish jurisdiction then Mr. Serna, if convicted, will be subject to adult criminal penalties.

It is the position of the State that a bind over from Juvenile Court to the General Division is appropriate and necessary given the nature of the conduct alleged. Additionally, the State takes the position that the safety of the community requires that Mr. Serna be subject to adult sanctions.

Mr. Serna is presently being held in a Juvenile Detention Center. On Monday, January 23, 2017, Mr. Serna will be brought before the Juvenile Court in Champaign County, Ohio for a detention hearing. It is anticipated that the Juvenile Court will determine whether Mr. Serna will remain in detention during the pendency of this matter. Additionally, it is anticipated that the Juvenile Court will ensure that Mr. Serna has legal representation.

Ely Serna
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2017/01/web1_IMG_03232017121155829624-1.jpgEly Serna Photo via public Facebook post
Second student was injured in shooting

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