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CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) — A grand jury on Friday returned a 33-count indictment against a high school sophomore accused of killing two people and seriously wounding four others after opening fire inside a New Mexico public library.
With the indictment, prosecutors said they are pursuing adult sanctions against 16-year-old Nathaniel Jouett. An arraignment will be scheduled in the next 15 days.
The teen is facing two counts of first-degree murder and multiple counts of child abuse, aggravated battery and assault with intent to commit a violent felony, all stemming from the Aug. 28 shooting rampage at the library in Clovis, New Mexico.
The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles accused of crimes. It is identifying Jouett, however, because of the seriousness of the crime and because authorities are seeking adult sanctions.
According to court records, Jouett told investigators that he initially intended to target his school and that he somehow ended up at the library. Authorities have said he did not know any of the victims.
Jouett told investigators he was mad and had been thinking "bad things" for some time. But he did not want to tell his family, his girlfriend or his friends at the Living Word Church of God about what he had been thinking of doing because he "knew it was wrong," according to court documents.
The teen also said during the interview with police that no one liked him, and he had thought he would kill himself or "kill a bunch of people," the records state.
Authorities have said that Jouett took two handguns from his family home. A handgun was found on a shelf near Jouett when he surrendered, and another gun was located inside a backpack found at the library, records show.
Jouett has been in custody since the shooting.
Prosecutors last week asked for him to remain in custody pending trial, saying he was a danger to himself and the community. His attorney did not contest the request, but they said it could be revisited as the case moves forward.
Prosecutors have said suicide notes were found at the teen's home. The youth's pastor also has said Jouett contemplated suicide several months earlier.
The shooting rocked Clovis, a community of about 40,000 near the Texas state line. Residents have rallied around the victims while businesses have been working to raise money for the families. State officials also have pledged resources as Clovis works to recover.
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