OXNARD, Calif., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A 14-year-old Southern California boy could face an adult trial for a hate crime for the fatal shooting of another teen in a school classroom.
The victim, Lawrence King, 15, was removed from a ventilator a day after being declared brain dead Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was shot in the head early Tuesday at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard
Brandon McInerney was charged with first-degree murder. At a brief hearing Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox would not say why prosecutors added a hate-crime enhancement.
Students suggested King's presumed sexual orientation was the reason for the shooting.
"He would come to school in high-heeled boots, makeup, jewelry and painted nails -- the whole thing," said Michael Sweeney, also an eighth-grader. "That was freaking the guys out."
King was living in a group foster home for troubled teenagers.
McInerney allegedly pulled out a gun and fired at King just before their first-period English class and then ran away. Police arrested him a few blocks away from the school. The defendant was charged with premeditated murder with a special allegation of using a firearm in the commission of a hate crime, the newspaper said.
Under California law, prosecutors have the option of charging teenagers as adults once they turn 14. McInerney 's lawyer, Brian Vogel, said that his client's birthday was Jan. 21 and that he plans to file a motion to return the case to the juvenile system.
