Olathe East shooting suspect enters not guilty plea, is bound over for trial
A 19-year-old accused of opening fire in an Olathe high school in March and injuring a school resource officer is pleading not guilty.
Jaylon Elmore appeared for a preliminary hearing Monday afternoon, according to Melody Webb, a spokeswoman for the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office. The judge heard evidence from four witnesses before Elmore was bound over for trial.
Elmore’s scheduling conference is set for scheduling April 10.
The former Olathe East High School student, a senior at the time of the shooting, was charged with attempted capital murder, felony possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal use of a weapon.
The day of the incident, school administrators brought Elmore to the office after a student told a school counselor she was afraid because another student had brought a gun to school, according to court documents.
After allegedly refusing to let the officer search his backpack, prosecutors claim Elmore fired the first shots, striking the officer in the chest and in the leg.
The officer returned fire, striking Elmore twice. The assistant principal tackled Elmore and was shot twice. The district attorney’s office released a statement shortly after, indicating that the assistant principal was “most likely” shot by the school resource officer during the scuffle.
While the officer and assistant principal were released shortly after the shooting, Elmore was hospitalized in critical condition for an extended period of time until he was booked in Johnson County Jail.
Former teachers and family members paint a complex picture of the defendant. One former teacher told The Star Elmore was dealt a “tough hand.” The student was described as “polite” but could be prone to outbursts of anger.
“It takes a hurt kid to hurt,” the teacher said.
Elmore remains in custody on a $1 million bond.