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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Student injured in 2018 shooting at Forest High School files lawsuit against MCPS

A student who was injured in a 2018 shooting at Forest High School is seeking more than $30,000 in a lawsuit that was filed against Marion County Public Schools.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday by attorney Joseph F. Scarpa, Jr. with Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys in Orlando, claims that MCPS “breached its duties of reasonable care for the safety and protection of its students, employees, and guests” on April 20, 2018.

On that date, Sky Bouche, a non-student, entered the school’s parking lot and walked into the main building while carrying a bag and a guitar case. Bouche proceeded to head to the second floor of the main building and entered a restroom.

When Bouche exited the restroom, he wore a tactical-style vest and gloves and he carried a loaded shotgun. He fired the shotgun into a classroom, and a student was struck and sustained severe injuries.

Bouche then entered a nearby classroom and talked with a teacher until a School Resource Officer arrived to arrest him.

Student injured in 2018 shooting at Forest High School files lawsuit against MCPS 2
Sky Bouche was arrested shortly after the shooting on April 20, 2018

Bouche pleaded no contest to charges connected with the shooting incident. He was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years behind bars and his prison term will be followed by 30 years of probation.

The injured student has been identified through the lawsuit as Evan Eckenroth. The complaint that was filed on Monday on behalf of Eckenroth alleges that MCPS failed to have proper security measures in place to protect students and keep non-students from accessing the school’s parking lot and main building during school hours.

The complaint further claims that due to negligence from MCPS, Eckenroth suffered injuries that resulted in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, permanent and significant scarring, mental anguish, loss of the capacity to enjoy life, hospital expenses, surgery, medical care and treatment, loss of earnings, and loss of the ability to earn money.

Eckenroth is seeking a jury trial.