Teen Tragically Killed by School’s Failure to Act

On November 12, 2008, a Dillard High School student shot and killed Amanda G. Collette outside a classroom. The student, Teah Wimberly, entered the school with a loaded handgun in her backpack. Wimberly informed a fellow student that she intended to harm Collette. The fellow student in turn informed a teacher, who failed to take action or reasonable steps to protect students inside the school.

It seems clear the procedures we’re demanding need to be installed at all schools, and nowhere more so than at schools like Dillard with a history of violence,” added Baker-Barnes. School Board of Broward County does not have adequate security measures and services in place to protect its students. Shouldn’t the School Board have done a minimal job of properly screening students and guests entering school property or have procedures and rules in place to deter acts of violence.

“The Broward County School Board was fully aware of the fact that a student inside the school possessed an illegal handgun,” said Sia Baker-Barnes, of the Searcy Denney law firm and attorney for the family. “The School Board’s monumental irresponsibility led to Amanda’s death. We will aggressively pursue this lawsuit to ensure that policies and procedures are implemented to safeguard our students before yet another tragic death besmirches our school system.”

This incident should cause serious thought for th esafety of children in our schools:

“The procedures we’re demanding need to be installed at all schools, and nowhere more so than at schools like Dillard with a history of violence,” added Baker-Barnes.

A lawsuit has been filed by Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley and we have the tragic privilege to represent the family of this grief stricken family, who have lost their teenage daughter.