Nodine convicted in 2011 school shooting

GAINESVILLE – A jury convicted the man involved with the High Springs Community School shooting that sent shockwaves through the community in 2011.  Robert Allan Nodine, 63, of High Springs, was found guilty on June 20, but not for the highest offenses being sought by the State Attorney’s office.

Jurors found that Nodine was guilty of attempted voluntary manslaughter, when he reportedly fired his weapon at High Springs Police Department (HSPD) Officer Charles Harper.  Jurors also convicted him of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as it related to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Deputy Brian Phillips.

Jurors did not, however, find Nodine guilty of two more severe charges being sought by the State Attorney’s Office, those of attempted first degree murder and attempted second degree murder.

Nodine was additionally convicted on two counts of possession of a weapon on school property, one for a firearm and the other for a knife.  He was also found guilty of trespassing on school grounds after being escorted from the premises by a law enforcement officer.

Nodine is awaiting sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.  A presentence investigation ordered by the judge overseeing the case is currently underway.  Conducted by the Florida Department of Corrections, that investigation will yield a report on the history of Nodine’s life, including any criminal history.

State Attorney’s Office spokesman Spencer Mann said his office would be providing a sentencing score sheet that converts the convictions into a numerical point system to provide guidance on sentencing.

“He runs the potential of serving the rest of his life in prison,” Mann said.

He also said the State Attorney’s Office would be advocating for the highest level of incarceration.

“We believe [Nodine] should not be released due to the violence used and the potential loss of life, and we believe he is a danger to society,” he added.

The shootout may have been triggered as a result of a reported investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), which asked the school not to release Nodine’s two grandchildren.  A 9-1-1 caller who was reporting the incident as it unfolded said DCF had not yet arrived at the school to deal with matters related to that investigation.

Responding to the school on May 18 were both ACSO deputies and HSPD officers.

Police say Nodine became irate while at the school, and while being escorted off the campus the grandfather was reportedly able to arm himself.

Nodine challenged a deputy and a police officer, according to reports.  The incident escalated and police opened fire on Nodine who was the only person injured in the exchange of fire.

The shooting occurred in a breezeway into the elementary school office.  Meanwhile, the school was in lockdown for much of that afternoon as deputies restricted access to and from school grounds.

Most of the school’s children had already been released because of an abbreviated Wednesday schedule.  But some 170 students remained on campus for after-school activities when the shooting occurred.

Harper was placed on administrative leave, but returned to work in the week following the incident.

Nodine was initially taken to an area hospital for treatment, but was later booked into the Alachua County Jail.

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