15-year-old boy who challenged his 16-year-old classmate to a fistfight in the park only to pull out a gun as they began scrapping and fatally shot him in the head, was charged as an adult
Florida – In a deeply unsettling case out of Florida, a 15-year-old boy, identified as J. Redding, is now being charged as an adult after he shot and killed his 16-year-old classmate, identified as P. Dalmacy, during a fight he provoked, a confrontation that began over a minor hallway bump at school and ended in fatal gunfire. Authorities say the confrontation, which escalated into a deadly act of violence, unfolded in broad daylight and was captured on video.
The 15-year-old Redding is facing charges of manslaughter with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a minor, and possession of a firearm on school property. Prosecutors are trying him as an adult due to the violent nature of the crime and his prior criminal history.
As per reports, the deadly encounter began with a seemingly trivial clash between two high school students. According to witnesses, Redding became agitated when Dalmacy allegedly bumped into him in the hallway. When Dalmacy asked for an apology and Redding refused, the disagreement escalated. Redding then challenged Dalmacy to a fistfight after school at the park, just down the road from the campus. Around 2:45 p.m. on October 9, the two teens met at the park as planned. Witnesses later told investigators that Redding had been taunting Dalmacy on the way there, flashing gang signs and hyping the fight. When the confrontation began, Dalmacy punched Redding first, and the two started fighting. But moments into the scuffle, Redding pulled out a gun and shot Dalmacy in the head.
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting at the park and found Dalmacy suffering from a gunshot wound to the top left side of his head. He was transported to the regional medical center, where he was later pronounced dead. As deputies canvassed the area, information led them back to the high school. The campus was placed on lockdown as law enforcement located Redding, who had returned to the school following the shooting. When questioned about the firearm, Redding directed deputies to his backpack, where a revolver was recovered. Investigators noted the weapon had two spent casings.
After being taken into custody, Redding invoked his right to counsel and did not provide a formal statement. A warrant was obtained to collect his clothing, photographs, and DNA samples as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities discovered Redding had nearly 40 prior disciplinary incidents at school, half involving physical altercations. They also uncovered a text message he sent two months earlier in which he expressed a desire to pull a gun during a fight—eerily foreshadowing what he ultimately did.
Redding, who was previously out on bond for a stolen vehicle charge, remains held without bail in the county jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. For the family of Dalmacy, the sudden and senseless loss of a son and classmate has left a deep wound. What began as a petty dispute ended in irreversible tragedy—yet another life cut short by a moment of violence and a gun in the wrong hands.
