School shooting victim removed from school following threats

The school shooting victim who was forced into hiding due to death threats was removed Ocoee High School because of the threats.

“I don’t know what to do at all now. My kids are fed up with being moved around,” said Jamiya Ford, Ja’Roderick Smith’s mother.

Smith was removed one day after Eyewitness News uncovered the fact that police are investigating death threats against the boy.

Ford said the staff at the school was fearful other students could be in harm’s way.

“I don’t think that’s right. It’s not fair to the kid,” said parent Crystal Brown.

Other parents disagreed.
"I think it was a good decision," said Orlando resident Charles Patterson.

Ford said the situation has been hard on her family.

“I understand their concerns, but at the same time the threats were not made by anyone at school,” she said.

The threats are tied to the shooting last December when Smith was shot three times at the bus loop at West Orange High School.

Police charged suspected gang member Ja’Morian Bell with the shooting and an unrelated murder.

“I don’t see why my kids have to be moved from school to school when they’re not the ones that brought this upon them,” Ford said.

School leaders wouldn’t talk about the case, citing security and privacy reasons.

Related Story: Family of Orange Co. student who was shot forced out of home due to threats

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