TAMPA, Fla. — Students and faculty at Crestwood Elementary School in Tampa are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Ricky Willis.

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“Our staff and our students are grieving right now,” said Diane Sanchez, principal of Crestwood Elementary. “It’s a very tough time for our Crestwood family.”

Sanchez told us that Willis, 10, attended Crestwood Elementary since kindergarten. He was a fifth-grader at the time of his death.

Willis went from an introverted average student to excelling in nearly all subjects and becoming a part of a musical ensemble on campus.

"He had made tremendous gains in progress academically, emotionally and socially here at Crestwood," Sanchez said.

Judge denies alleged shooter bond 

In an arrest affidavit, Tyrone Johnson, 42, the boyfriend of Willis’ mom, Stephanie, told investigators he shot both of them after a domestic dispute Sunday night at the Mariner’s Cove Apartment complex where all three lived. 

Johnson claims the shootings were done in self-defense, but was charged with second-degree murder. 

Johnson, seen in a wheelchair with a state-appointed attorney at his side, appeared in court through a video conferencing.  A judge denied him bond and scheduled his pre-trial detention hearing for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. 

News of the deadly shootings spread through the community, prompting grief counselors to visit Crestwood Elementary. Experts met with 120 students Tuesday, 20 of them individually.

"There’s a lot of confusion,” said Toby Hartranft, a psychologist with Hillsborough County Schools. “There’s a lot of just shock and not knowing how to feel. You get some kids that feel some anger."

Sanchez said she will be there for the students in their time of grief.  

"I’m here to support them however they need," she said.