BRADENTON (Bay News 9) -- Officials with the Manatee School District are admitting that they should have paid more attention to the previous arrest of a football player now accused of murder.
According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the Bradenton Herald, the school officials are saying they made a mistake in their handling of the 2007 arrest of Timothy Brooks. Brooks is accused of shooting and killing William White Jr. on July 15.
Brooks had been previously arrested on charges of burglary of a vehicle and possession of a concealed weapon. The arrest came to light after he was accused of shooting White. School policy states that Brooks should not have been allowed to play football last year because of that arrest.
Records from the Bradenton Police Department show that the police report was sent to the school four months prior to the start of the football season. However, school officials said they had no record of the report in the district's dropout prevention office.
School superintendent Roger Dearing said the district takes "full responsibility" for the lapse.
Brooks denies he shot White. He is still in jail.
Cody Rogers, 18, was also arrested along with Brooks. He is being charged with principal to murder.
White's funeral was held Saturday afternoon at the Packer Funeral Home on Beneva Road.