Jena Six Teen Shoots Himself In Chest

According to Monroe, Louisiana, police Sgt. Cassandra Wooten, one of the teens arrested in the ‘Jena Six’ case has been taken to the hospital after shooting himself in the chest.  His wound isn’t life-threatening.

Wooten says the 18-year-old wounded himself around 7:40 p.m. in Monroe where he’s been staying with a foster family.

Police believe Bell was upset over media coverage of his arrest last where he was arrested Christmas Eve and booked on a shoplifting charge.  He was freed on $1,300 bond following his arrest at a mall in Monroe, La. He also was booked on charges of resisting arrest and simple assault.

Mychal Bell was one of six black teens charged with beating a white classmate at Jena High School in December 2006.  The case aggravated racial tensions in the central Louisiana town and led to a massive civil rights demonstration.

Bell pleaded guilty in juvenile court to a charge of second-degree battery.