Nathaniel Brazill | |
|---|---|
 Mugshot of Brazill | |
| Born | (1986-09-22)September 22, 1986 (age 38) Florida, U.S. |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated atWakulla Correctional Institution Annex |
| Parent | Polly Powell |
| Convictions | Second degree murder,aggravated assault |
| Criminal penalty | 28 years imprisonment, plus 7 years felony probation |
| Details | |
| Victims | Barry Grunow (killed) |
| Date | May 26, 2000 |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Lake Worth, Florida |
| Weapons | 25-cal. Raven handgun[1] |
Nathaniel R. Brazill (born September 22, 1986) is an American man who, at age 13, fatally shot one of his schoolteachers, Barry Grunow, at Lake Worth Middle School inLake Worth, Florida. Brazill was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 28 years in prison.[2]
On May 26, 2000, the last day of the 1999–2000 school year, Brazill—a seventh grade student—shot and killed Barry Grunow, an English teacher atLake Worth Middle School inLake Worth, Florida. After being sent home from school earlier that day for throwing a water balloon, Brazill had returned home, retrieved a .25-caliber handgun, and shot Grunow once in the head.[2][3][4] Brazill wastried as an adult and convicted of second-degree murder for the killing of Grunow and aggravated assault for pointing the gun at another teacher.[3][5] The jury decided not to convict Brazill of first-degree murder, which requirespremeditation and carries a mandatory life sentence in Florida, however, juveniles convicted of first-degree murder in Florida are given a review by a judge after 25 years.[3] Brazill was sentenced to 28 years instate prison followed by 7 years of probation.[2]
Pam Grunow, the widow of the murdered teacher, sued the Brazill family friend that owned the handgun used, thePalm Beach County School Board, and the pawn shop that sold the handgun. These cases were settled for over $1 million. Grunow also filed an action against the gun manufacturer that resulted in a $1.2 million jury verdict, but the trial judge set aside the verdict, and in 2005 the Florida District Court of Appeals upheld this ruling.[6][7]
Brazill is incarcerated at theWakulla Correctional Institution Annex with a release date set for May 18, 2028.[8] While imprisoned, Brazill earned his GED and certification as a paralegal.[9]
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As a child, Brazill was surrounded by domestic abuse and alcoholism at home, and local police frequently responded to calls from the Brazill residence.[10] Prior to the Grunow murder, Brazill received at least 2 D's as well as an F by Grunow himself; however, he was described by teachers as being mild mannered and likeable, and stated that Grunow was his favorite teacher.[11]