Funeral Arrangements Announced For Butler High School Shooting Victim

CHARLOTTE, NC — On Saturday, November 3rd, the victim of Monday’s deadly shooting inside Butler High School will be laid to rest.

The funeral for Bobby McKeithen, 16, will take place at Progressive Baptist Church on Clanton Road in Charlotte. Visitation is scheduled for 12pm followed by the service at 1pm.

Around 7:14am on Monday, October 29th, Matthews Police say 16-year-old Jatwan Cuffie shot McKeithen during a fight in the school’s main hall. McKeithen was transported to CMC for treatment, but later died.

A police affidavit released on Wednesday, which included statements from Cuffie, gave a clearer picture of what may have led up to the crime.

On Friday, October 26th, Cuffie said he and a friend got into a fight with three other guys at a Harris Teeter parking lot near Margaret Wallace and Idlewild Road. Cuffie told police he and his friend took off when one of the other guys pulled out a knife.

Throughout the weekend, Cuffie said he had conversations with several of the people involved in the fight. One of those conversations also included Bobby McKeithen.

McKeithen had reportedly witnessed the fight and was saying Cuffie lost. Upon learning this, Cuffie said he reached out to McKeithen and told him he was only saying that because he was friends with the other guys involved.

According to the affidavit, McKeithen responded by saying, who is going to “check” me about it? Cuffie responded, I will.

Cuffie said one of the guys he fought threatened to “get him” at school after the fight Friday, and, according to a message Cuffie said he received from a friend later that weekend, intended to make good on the threat.

Fearing for his safety, Cuffie said he went to the woods Monday morning before leaving for school and retrieved a gun he had hidden to use as protection.

According to Matthews Police, that gun, a .380 pistol, was reported stolen from a car in Gaston County. Police still have not confirmed when the weapon was stolen or by whom.

Cuffie told investigators he had no intention of violence when he went to school Monday. He said he was “planning on minding his own business” and stood in a hallway corner “praying that they wouldn’t mess with him.”

After seeing McKeithen pass by, the affidavit says Cuffie dapped with a friend in the hallway. Cuffie said that’s when McKeithen came up on his left side and punched him in the face.

In the affidavit Cuffie says he put up his arm to shield himself, then pulled the gun from his pocket and fired one shot at McKeithen. Cuffie said he thought he missed because there was no blood and McKeithen kept fighting.

Related Story: “He Has A Gun!”: Student Shoots Classmate At Butler High School

Cuffie said he finally pushed McKeithen off of him and retrieved the gun, which had gotten hung on McKeithen’s jacket after the initial shot. Cuffie said he planned on firing another shot in the air to scare McKeithen, but instead retreated into the classroom of his 9th grade math teacher.

Police say Cuffie confessed to his teacher inside the classroom and waited with her until officers could place him under arrest.

McKeithen was transported to CMC for treatment. Matthews Police later confirmed he died from a single gunshot wound to the torso.

Following the announcement of McKeithen’s death, Cuffie was charged with first degree murder.

While many have been praised for their quick response to the situation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has come under intense criticism for how they handled the situation.

Parents have voiced major frustrations over what they say was a lack of communication on the school’s part in terms of what happened, and where and when the students could be picked up. Students have also started voicing their concerns over campus security.

That frustration grew after videos posted to social media by students inside the school showed police and school officials refusing to let kids out of the building, despite parents seen waiting on the other side of the doors.

In the videos, teachers can instead be heard telling students to report to their second block classes.

CMS Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox tried to address those situations later in the day by saying, “our decision to keep students on campus and in class was motivated by one goal: to keep students safe until transportation could be arranged with their families. We had some initial confusion and it is understandable that some families were frustrated – the safety of their loved ones was first on their minds and ours.”

 

The shooting prompted an outpouring of condolences from local and state leaders, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Matthews Mayor Paul Bailey, State Board of Education Chairman Eric Davis and Governor Roy Cooper.

“We are deeply saddened by these tragic events. I want to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of this young man, and to everyone affected at Butler High School,” said Cooper in a statement. “Our hearts are with you, and the community stands behind you. This is a very sad day here in Matthews.”

Students gathered outside of Butler High School Monday night for a candlelight vigil to remember Bobby McKeithen.

Butler High School was closed Tuesday following the shooting, and remained closed Wednesday due to a predetermined teacher workday. Staff was given the option not to attend, however.

On Tuesday, McKeithen’s family addressed the media following reports that the incident was sparked by bullying on the part of Bobby McKeithen. They say they are disturbed because they were told the situation was brewing for several weeks and nothing was done by the school system prior to the shooting.

The family maintains however, that Bobby McKeithen was not a bully.

Related Story: Family Says Butler High Student Shot and Killed Had “A Heart of Gold”

 

During the news conference, McKeithen’s father said at the end of the day it’s bigger than the situation and it’s about us coming together as a community and getting the guns out of the streets.  He also said he has remorse for the Cuffie family because they are also losing a son to the system.

Just a few hours after McKeithen’s family spoke, Jatwan Cuffie made his first appearance before a judge. Cuffie’s attorney requested a $10,000 bond and electronic monitoring, but that request was denied.

His next court dates are scheduled for November 7th and 9th.

On Thursday, just four days after the deadly shooting, students and staff returned to Butler High School. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools made counselors and resources available to anyone in need, and had additional security on campus throughout the day.

A second candlelight vigil was also held Thursday night at Camp Greene Park to honor McKeithen. Students, family and friends gathered and spoke about the teen who’s life was cut short by a fellow classmate.

One family member said, “He just turned 16. His life was just beginning, and now it’s over.” Another family member says he hopes to clear McKeithen’s name, and let people know he was not a bully.

Bobby McKeithen will be laid to rest early Saturday afternoon. Visitation is scheduled for noon at Progressive Baptist Church, followed by the service.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCCB Charlotte’s CW for complete coverage.