West Orange High shooter pleads no contest

The 18-year-old man who pleaded no contest on charges associated with a December 2013 shooting at West Orange High School also is facing charges for a murder that took place just nine days earlier.

J’Morian Bell has been charged with first-degree murder for the Nov. 25, 2013, shooting death of Lance “Matt” Whitten. According to Orange County Sheriff’s Office reports, shortly after 10 p.m. Nov. 25, 2013, Whitten had just left a friend’s home, at 7213 Keri Court, in Pine Hills, and was standing in the driveway when he was shot. 

As Whitten staggered for help, he collapsed and died at 7220 Keri Court.

Sheriff’s Office investigators are searching for a second suspect, Calvin McClain, in that case and have charged a third suspect, Antwaun Welch, 22. Welch currently is serving a prison sentence for a July 2013 robbery.

Last week, Bell pleaded no contest to three charges — attempted murder, discharging a firearm and possession of a firearm on school property — in the West Orange High shooting. A fourth charge, for aggravated battery, was dropped. Bell will serve 25 years for the West Orange High shooting. 

According to Sheriff’s Office reports, on Dec. 4, 2013, Bell, then 17, shot then-15-year-old Ja’Roderick Smith several times in front of buses full of students waiting to go home. Bell fled after the shooting, but police set up roadblocks around the school. Within two hours, he was arrested.

If convicted of the Whitten murder, Bell, McClain and Welch all could face life in prison.

Anyone with information about McClain should call Crimeline at (407) 423-8477.