Suspect's Attorney Says Boy is Frightened

Monday, December 6th 1999, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Fort Gibson-AP) -- The attorney for a boy arrested for opening fire on his fellow Fort Gibson Middle School students says his client is a frightened young man. Drew Wilcoxen told The Associated Press by telephone that he couldn't reveal anything about their conversations, but did say he expected a psychological examination to be required for the teen.

Wilcoxen and authorities wouldn't release the boy's name because of his age and because charges hadn't been filed by prosecutors. But schoolmates identified the boy as Seth Trickey. Max Chrisman said the boy looked just like he always did and then pulled out a gun and started shooting. Shaila Benjamin says she looked up and saw the boy reach into something and pull out a gun. She says he began shooting over the students' heads. Others describe the boy as being a member of a church group and as having lots of friends.