ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — The family of a New Mexico middle school girl shot by a fellow student on campus says the suspected shooter "is not a bad boy."
The Roswell Daily Record reports that Bert Sanders, the father of 13-year-old victim Kendal, told reporters Monday he believes the boy's family are "good people." He also says his daughter and the suspected shooter are friends.
Kendal and 12-year-old Nathaniel Tavarez were wounded when the young gunman entered the crowded Berrendo Middle School gym Jan. 14 and fired three times from a 20-gauge shotgun.
The seventh-grade suspect has been charged as a juvenile with three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Police have yet to speculate about a motive.