Howard Principal Discusses Student's Murder
708 views · Published 7 March 2013 · 2:17 · Indexed 27 October 2026
Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics
By Jerry Askin Howard High School continues to mourn the shooting death of Lamunta Williams. Wednesday, we spoke with the principal of the school about Williams and the events that led to his death.Principal Paul Smith struggled to hold back tears WednesdayHe was a kid like any other who you wanted to see succeed and do something in his life, says Smith.18-year old Courtney Birt is the person police say shot and killed Lamunta.According to the principal, Lamunta had gone to school, went inside the building for about 10 minutes then left. Witnesses told police Lamunta and his three friends were hanging out at an abandoned home near the school. That's when they say Courtney Birt came in and shot the victim multiple times. Wednesday, we learned Williams reportedly hit Birt's child's mother a few weeks ago. Principal Paul Smith is quick to point out this story is a rare one for his school.What happened yesterday is the exception, not the norm.The school stayed on lockdown for two hours Tuesday after the shooting. Now, the principal says they're adding extra officers at school this week, making sure all kids are safe.Just in case someone else comes on this campus with anything else other than school, they'll be met with law enforcement.Courtney Birt now remains in the Hamilton County Jail.
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