Heritage High shooter released from prison

BUFORD, Ga. - Heritage High School shooter T.J. Solomon was freed Tuesday morning from a Georgia State prison, after serving 17 years of his 20-year prison sentence.

FOX 5’s Marc Teichner reports Solomon walked out of the Phillips State Prison in Buford before 10 a.m. Tuesday and got into a vehicle.

In May 1999, Solomon who was 15-years-old walked into the commons area of the Conyers school and opened fire, wounding 6 students.

The crime took place exactly one month after the deadly Colombine shooting in Colorado.

In 2000, a Rockdale County judge sentenced Solomon to 65 years on aggravated assault and weapons convictions, 40 of which he was to serve.  

That sentence was later reduced to 20 years behind bars, with Solomon to be released in May 2019.

The Rockdale Citizen quotes the State Board of Pardons and Parole as saying Solomon's early release is "compatible with the welfare of society."  According to the paper, the Parole Board also says Solomon has "demonstrated a clear record of rehabilitation including successfully performing in a Department of Correction work release program."

The Department of Corrections sent a letter to family members of the victims telling them of the pending release.  It also outlined a number of restrictions that will be placed on Solomon,  which include him being placed on a voice monitoring system, preventing him from stepping foot on any public school grounds in the state and that he stay away from his victims.

The Citizen reports Rockdale District Attorney Richard Reed, who prosecuted the case, has opposed to Solomon's early release.  

In April of this year the paper says Reed said he believed in "truth in sentencing." 

Solomon was denied parole in both 2012 and 2014.