TX Cadet Charged with Aggravated Assault in Classroom Shooting

Clayton Whatley, 21, claimed his gun went off accidentally while he was reaching for a pencil out of his book bag during a class. The bullet fragments hit three of his fellow cadets, wounding two of them in their legs.

A Texas City, TX, police cadet is facing a series of criminal charges after his gun went off and hit three of his classmates. Police now believe this may have been more than an accidental discharge.

Clayton Whatley, 21, claimed his gun went off accidentally while he was reaching for a pencil out of his book bag during a class. The bullet fragments hit three of his fellow cadets, wounding two of them in their legs.

Investigators say they now have reason to believe he may have been trying to shoot one of his classmates intentionally.

Court documents allege one of the three victims told officers she believes Whatley intended to shoot her.


Whatley is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, ABC13 reports.

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