WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — A Utah teenager will serve time in a juvenile treatment facility in exchange for pleading guilty Monday to attempted murder in the shooting of another teen outside a suburban middle school.

Prosecutors initially wanted to move the case to adult court, where the defendant could face more serious penalties.

The 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty Monday to attempted murder and weapons charges, The Salt Lake Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/2mfDjdp). The amount of time he spends in the secure juvenile facility will depend on a youth parole board.
The Associated Press is not naming the teenager because of his age.

Authorities say the boys were feuding over a girl through texts and social media before the Oct. 25 fight near Union Middle School in Sandy. The suspect grabbed the gun from his mother’s closet, authorities said.

The 16-year-old victim, who was shot twice in the head, survived.

The teenager prepared to read an apology letter during the hearing, but was too nervous, defense attorney Sophia Moore said. She said the boy was sorry for the shooting and “relived the moment over and over again.”

Salt Lake County District Attorney Thaddeus May said the resolution should hold the teen accountable while also allowing him to be rehabilitated.

Judge Tupakk Renteria said he was disturbed by the social media conservations that included the suspect asking a friend to videotape the anticipated fight in case it became violent. “It blows my mind,” Renteria said.

The victim was in court but didn’t speak. May said the boy has been courageous through the ordeal.

“He told us less than a week ago that he didn’t have hate in his heart for the young man who shot him,” May said.

The victim’s attorney, Spencer Banks, said his family supports the plea deal. Banks said the boy is still recovering physically and emotionally.

“They are looking forward to moving on and putting this all behind him,” Banks said. “And, hopefully, living the normal life of a teenager.”