Kevin Clifford / AP
A Sparks Middle School student cries with family members after being released from Agnes Risley Elementary School, where some students were evacuated to after a shooting at Sparks Middle School in Sparks, Nev. on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 in Sparks, Nev.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 | 11:22 a.m.
SPARKS — The father of the Nevada middle school shooter pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor child abuse charge last year. The father self-reported to school counselors that his son struck him and he hit the child back, blackening the boy's eye.
Deputy Washoe County District Attorney John Helzer said Thursday that Jose Reyes originally was charged with a felony after he hit his then 10-year-old son, Jose, in the nose and face in January 2012.
But Helzer says he supported dropping the charge to a misdemeanor because Reyes cooperated fully with law officers.
KOLO-TV first reported on the arrest.
Police are investigating whether Reyes may have illegally allowed his son access to the handgun the boy used to kill a teacher and wound two classmates before committing suicide last month.
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