<\/p>\n
SANTA FE \u2014 Prosecutors plan to seek adult criminal sanctions against a 16-year-old defendant in the killing of a standout high school basketball player in New Mexico, Santa Fe-based District Attorney Marco Serna said Monday.<\/p>\n
Serna said the district attorney\u2019s office filed a petition in juvenile court that includes an open count of murder against a juvenile defendant, and that his office will request to move the case to state district court to pursue adult sanctions in the shooting death Saturday of Fedonta \u201cJ.B.\u201d White.<\/p>\n
White, an 18-year-old college basketball recruit who planned to graduate from high school early over the summer, was shot at a social gathering on the northern outskirts of Santa Fe in the rural community known as Chupadero.<\/p>\n
A 16-year-old linked to the killing was being held at a juvenile detention center. The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles who are accused of crimes.<\/p>\n
White, a 6-foot-8 forward for the Santa Fe High School Demons averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in the 2019-20 season, as his team reached the state quarterfinals. He was scheduled to play basketball on a scholarship for the University of New Mexico.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of friends and acquaintances gathered Sunday on Santa Fe\u2019s downtown plaza for a vigil, lighting candles at a makeshift memorial. Others stayed away as a precaution against any potential violence.<\/p>\n
Serna said an initial detention hearing will take place in juvenile court before prosecutors can file a request to apply adult sanctions in state district court.<\/p>\n
He declined to share copies of the petition, citing juvenile court restrictions.<\/p>\n
In a news release Sunday, the Santa Fe County Sheriff\u2019s Department announced preliminary homicide and weapons charges against a 16-year-old defendant. The department on Monday declined to immediately release further documents related to its charges and investigation.<\/p>\n
Administrators and students from White\u2019s school district made a public appeal Monday for parents to safeguard firearms and for youths to take a pledge toward stemming gun violence. School officials outlined free counseling options for youths who may be despondent or depressed over the shooting and White\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Veronica Garcia expressed concern about the social gathering that turned violent amid a statewide stay-at-home order to stem the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cI say to our parents, be mindful of house parties \u2014 let\u2019s not forget that there\u2019s a current pandemic,\u201d she said. \u201cBe cognizant of students\u2019 access to guns, talk to your children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miranda Viscoli, of the gun control advocacy group New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, called on state lawmakers to revisit stalled proposals for a child access protection law that allows adults to be prosecuted if a minor gains access to a neglectfully stored firearm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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