Chardon High School Shooting | |
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Location | Chardon, Ohio, United States |
Coordinates | 41°35′28″N 81°12′1″W / 41.59111°N 81.20028°WCoordinates: 41°35′28″N 81°12′1″W / 41.59111°N 81.20028°W |
Date | February 27, 2012 7:30 a.m. (EST) |
Target | Chardon High School |
Attack type | School shooting |
Weapon(s) | .22 caliber handgun[1] |
Deaths | 3 |
Injured | 3 |
Perpetrator | T.J. Lane[2] |
The Chardon High School shooting occurred on February 27, 2012, at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, United States. Six students were injured; five were hospitalized, three of whom died within the first two days following the incident. While rumors of a warning of the event having been posted on the internet circulated, student witness identified the shooter as a former classmate, T.J. Lane. The police apprehended one suspect in the case. Although they were initially hesitant to release the identification of the juvenile, by the evening of February 28 authorities confirmed that the suspect was Lane.
The weapon Lane used in the shooting was a .22 caliber handgun. At an initial court hearing, the prosecutor revealed that Lane admitted to shooting 10 rounds of ammunition from the gun during the shooting, which began in the school cafeteria approximately 7:30 AM shortly before school began. Although Lane told police that he did not know the victims and that they were chosen randomly, witnesses stated that it appeared he targeted a group of students who were sitting together at one table in the cafeteria.
After the shooting occurred, Lane left the building. Witnesses said that he was chased from the building by a teacher. Lane was arrested a short time later in a location outside the school. Initially, Lane was detained as a juvenile pending further court action.
Reaction to the event prompted a statement from the Governor, several prayer vigils and the establishment of a fund for the victims.
Contents |
Details
The shooting began at approximately 7:30 AM (EST) in the Chardon High School cafeteria.[3] A student witness said that the shooting began in the cafeteria before first period while students were eating breakfast. According to reports, a boy "stood up and started shooting, and then it was chaos."[4]
A surveillance video showed the gunman shoot four male students, Daniel Parmertor, Russell King, Demetrius Hewlin, and Nick Walczak, in the cafeteria with a .22 caliber handgun. He shot at least three of them in the back of the head.[1] As he fled, the suspect shot student Joy Rickers in the buttocks.[1] The suspect was chased out of the school by a teacher, football coach Frank Hall.[5] The shooter was arrested outside the school near his car on Woodin Road.[4]
Injuries and Deaths |
1. Daniel Parmertor, 17 (deceased)[3] |
2. Russell King, Jr., 17 (deceased) [6][7] |
3. Demetrius Hewlin, 16 (deceased)[8] [9][10] |
4. Nate Mueller, 16[11] |
5. Nick Walczak, 17[11] |
6. Joy Rickers, 18[11] |
Five students were seriously injured, three of whom later died.[7] [12] Two students, a male and a female, were taken to local Hillcrest Hospital, while three others were flown by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.[3] A sixth student, Nate Mueller, was superficially injured when a bullet grazed his right ear.[2]
Fatalities
At noon on February 27, Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna announced in a news conference that one of the victims had died.[13] The first deceased student was identified as Daniel Parmertor, a 17-year-old high school junior, by a spokeswoman for Cleveland's MetroHealth Medical Center. His family issued the following statement: "We are shocked by this senseless tragedy. Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him. The family is torn by this loss. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time."[14] When the gunman opened fire, Parmertor was in the cafeteria waiting for a bus to the Auburn Career Center vocational school in nearby Concord Township, where he studied computer science.[3]
At 12:42 AM the next day, a second student, Russell King, Jr., 17, was pronounced brain dead at MetroHealth Medical Center,[15][6] Witness, Nate Mueller, said that King had recently started dating the suspect's former girlfriend. King, a junior, studied alternative energy technologies. He was enrolled at both Chardon High School and at the Auburn Career Center.[7]
King's family released this statement: "We would like to thank the public for their continued support. We would also like to extend our sympathy to the families of the victims of this senseless tragedy. We ask that Russell be remembered for who he was, a strong boy with a big heart. He will be missed by many. He was so full of life and we are honoring his wishes to help others by donating his organs. Please respect our privacy during this difficult time." [16]
On February 28, it was reported that Demetrius Hewlin, the third student that was transferred to MetroHealth, had died.[11] His family released this statement: "We are very saddened by the loss of our son and others in our Chardon community. Demetrius was a happy young man who loved life and his family and friends."[8] Friends of Hewlin said that he liked to work out and wanted to be on the football team.[10]
Other victims
One of the two injured students who had been transferred to Hillcrest Hospital, 17-year-old Nick Walczak, remained in serious condition as of February 28. The other, Joy Rickers, 18, was in stable condition.[11] Rickers was released from the hospital at 12:00 PM on February 28.[16] Nate Mueller, who was not hospitalized, was nicked in his right ear by a bullet.[11]
Teacher heroics
After the shooting, students referred to two teachers, Frank Hall and Joseph Ricci, as heroes. The Daily Beast reported: "News of the two men’s courageous actions first began to leak on Twitter as students expressed their thanks, saying Hall charged down the shooter, even as he pointed his gun at the coach."[17] A student told reporters "Coach Hall, he always talks about how much he cares about us students, his team and everyone. Today he really went out and he proved how much he cared about us, that he would take a bullet for us."[18]
Meanwhile, Joe Ricci had just started his math class when he heard shots and ordered his students to "lockdown". According to a student witness, when Ricci heard moaning outside his classroom he put on a bullet proof vest,[19][20] opened the door, dragged a wounded student, Nick Walczak, into the classroom and administered first aid.[21] A student described the teachers as "two of the greatest leaders in our school."[18]
Alleged shooter
Identification
Witnesses recognized the shooter as T.J. Lane, 17.[22][23][2] The authorities were reluctant to release the name of the juvenile suspect, but "According to the Associated Press, by early afternoon, police and FBI had surrounded a house in a rural part of Chardon, identified in public records as belonging to Thomas Lane."[2] Melanie Jones, writing for International Business Times said, "After news broke that T.J. Lane might be the shooter, news sources scrambled to get confirmation from local sources. Local police, federal agents and school officials have so far remained tight-lipped as to whether the identification is accurate."[24] Authorities did release Lane's name late on February 27.[18]
An education official noted that the suspected shooter was not a student at Chardon High School, but attended Lake Academy, an alternative school in nearby Willoughby. The alternative school serves 7th through 12th grade students who may have been referred to the school because of academic or behavioral problems.[25] Witnesses also said Lane appeared to be targeting students who were sitting together at one table.[26]
Social media
There were rumors that there had been a warnings about the shooting posted on Twitter.[24] News agencies published excerpts from the Facebook profile of a boy named "T.J. Lane". The profile did not give a location but several of the user' s friends were listed as being from Chardon.[24] One entry in particular, dated December 30, 2011, caught attention and was published in its entirety by Global Grind:
In a time long since, a time of repent, The Renaissance. In a quaint lonely town, sits a man with a frown. No job. No family. No crown. His luck had run out. Lost and alone.
The streets were his home. His thoughts would solely consist of "why do we exist?" His only company to confide in was the vermin in the street. He longed for only one thing, the world to bow at his feet.
They too should feel his secret fear. The dismal drear. His pain had made him sincere. He was better than the rest, all those ones he detests, within their castles, so vain. Selfish and conceited.
They couldn't care less about the peasents they mistreated. They were in their own world, it was a joyous one too. That castle, she stood just to do all she could to keep the peasents at bay, not the enemy away.
They had no enemies in their filthy orgy. And in her, the castles every story, was just another chamber of Lucifer's Laboratory. The world is a sandbox for all the wretched sinners.
They simply create what they want and make themselves the winners. But the true winner, he has nothing at all. Enduring the pain of waiting for that castle to fall. Through his good deeds, the rats and the fleas.
He will have for what he pleads, through the eradication of disease. So, to the castle he proceeds, like an ominous breeze through the trees. "Stay back!" The Guards screamed as they were thrown to their knees. "Oh God, have mercy, please!"
The castle, she gasped and then so imprisoned her breath, to the shallow confines of her fragile chest. I'm on the lamb but I ain't no sheep. I am Death. And you have always been the sod. So repulsive and so odd.
You never even deserved the presence of God, and yet, I am here. Around your cradle I plod. Came on foot, without shod. How improper, how rude. However, they shall not mind the mud on my feet if there is blood on your sheet.
Now! Feel death, not just mocking you. Not just stalking you but inside of you. Wriggle and writhe. Feel smaller beneath my might. Seizure in the Pestilence that is my scythe. Die, all of you. [27]
According to a comment posted by Lane on January 20, 2012, he "wrote it [himself] in class one day." [27] [24]
Reactions of friends
A Friend of T.J. Lane described him as "a very normal, just teenage boy"[22] She told CNN that she was in "complete shock" from the incident. She went on to say "He did have a sad look in his eyes a lot of the time, but he talked normally (and) he never said anything strange,"[22] Another friend said "he saw Lane being picked on regularly at school and said he put a wall around himself, reluctant especially to share anything about his personal life."[22] A third student told reporters “'He just came from a really broken-down home and he was living with his grandparents," saying he was quiet but could be really nice if someone reached out to him.'" He added, "He was one of the nicest kids there. It was really shocking that it was him.”[24]
The weapon
After Lane's arrest, law enforcement determined that the gun used in the shooting was purchased legally. Lane told authorities that he had stolen the 22-caliber handgun from his uncle. It was reported that the shooter dropped the gun as he fled from the scene. The gun was found inside the school and recovered by police. Along with the gun, Lane admitted to taking a knife into Chardon High School. [28]
Detention hearing
On February 28, at 3:50 PM (EST), a detention hearing was held for the suspect at Geauga County Juvenile Court in Chardon, Ohio. "It is customary for a teenage suspect to be treated as a juvenile until prosecutors decide whether to charge him or her as an adult, an attorney familiar with the case told the LA Times."[29]
Judge Timothy J. Grendell began the proceeding by asking the media not to take photographs of the suspect until it was determined whether or not he would be tried as an adult.[8] He immediately ruled that the suspect would remain in custody. At the prosecutor's request, the judge ruled that the attorneys involved in the case refrain from speaking to the media regarding the proceeding.[30] He then outlined conditions under which the media could participate including not taking any facial photographs of the defendant or his family. After hearing the prosecutors argument for continuing the suspects detention and receiving no objection, the judge ruled that detention, at the Portage-Geauga Juvenile Detention Center in Ravenna, Ohio, should continue for 15 days.[31] The issues of arraignment and possible transfer to adult court were put off to future dates. The judge stated that the prosecution had until March 1, 2012, to file charges.[30]
Prosecutor, David Joyce, said in a news conference that followed the hearing "that he wants Lane tried as an adult and expects to file three counts of aggravated murder and other counts related to the incident."[31] It was revealed at the hearing that Lane admitted to shooting 10 rounds of ammunition during the incident. He also told the police that he did not know the victims and they were selected randomly.[30][31] However, a witness who said he knew the shooter indicated that Lane knew several of the victims.[31]
Community reaction
On the morning of the shooting, Ohio Governor John Kasich issued a statement concerning the incident: "Please join me in praying for the students who've been injured in this horrible crime. Praise goes to the Chardon Police and Geauga County Sheriff's office for quickly getting this situation under control. I've pledged Ohio's full support to them, the school and the local community in this difficult time."[32] The next day, Governor Kasich ordered the flag at the statehouse, as well as all flags in Geauga County, to be flown at half-staff.[33]
In the wake of the tragedy, officials closed all Chardon schools on February 28, while a vigil was scheduled for that night.[34] On the night of February 27 there were several vigils held including one at Chardon Assembly of God Church.[35] Tens of thousands agreed to wear red, the color of the Chardon Hilltoppers[35] on February 28, in support of Chardon High School when it was suggested on Facebook.[36] The United Way set up The Chardon Healing Fund to help those traumatized by the shooting.[23] The fund had already acquired $150,000 by the time its creation had been announced on February 28.[35]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Johnston, Laura. "Chardon High School emergency plan prepared community for shooting tragedy". The Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/chardon-shooting/index.ssf/2012/02/chardon_community_prepared_for.html. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Report: Student confirms ID of Chardon HS shooter as T.J. Lane". CBSNEWS. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57386079-504083/report-student-confirms-id-of-chardon-hs-shooter-as-t.j-lane/. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Official: 5 hurt, 3 Dead in Ohio high school shooting". MSNBC.com. http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/27/10517706-official-5-hurt-in-ohio-high-school-shooting. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ a b Horton, John. "5 students hurt in shooting at Chardon High School; suspect in custody". Cleveland Live LLC. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/at_least_4_students_hurt_in_sh.html. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ Bell, Melissa. "Chardon, Ohio students recount teachers’ bravery on Twitter". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/chardon-ohio-students-recount-teachers-bravery-on-twitter/2012/02/27/gIQARYuBeR_blog.html. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "Second student dies in shooting rampage at Ohio high school, authorities say". FoxNews.com. February 28, 2012. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/27/ohio-high-school-on-lockdown-after-reports-shooting.
- ^ a b c "Chardon shooting victim Russell King described as 'very social kid'". Cleveland Live LLC. http://www.cleveland.com/chardon-shooting/index.ssf/2012/02/chardon_shooting_victim_russel.html. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Chardon High School Shootings: 3rd Student is Dead". Fox8 Cleveland. February 28, 2012. http://fox8.com/2012/02/28/chardon-ohio-high-school-shootings.
- ^ Farkas, Karen (February 28, 2012). "Demetrius Hewlin of Chardon dies after shooting at Ohio high school". The Plain Dealer. http://www.cleveland.com/chardon-shooting/index.ssf/2012/02/third_student_dies_after_shoot.html.
- ^ a b Donaldson, Stan. "Chardon shooting victim Demetrius Hewlin liked to work out at the gym". Cleveland Live LLC. http://www.cleveland.com/chardon-shooting/index.ssf/2012/02/chardon_shooting_victim_demetr.html. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f "Chardon High School shooting: Victims identified". WKYC.com. http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/232773/45/Chardon-High-School-shooting-Victims-identified. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ "Reported Shooting At Chardon High School". New Vision Television. http://www.wytv.com/content/news/local/story/LIVE-STREAM-Reported-Shooting-At-Chardon-High/caBL7e2o8UOlWpfIwxEptg.cspx. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ Achladis, Ted. "CHARDON HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: 1 Student Dead, 4 Others Injured". Fox News. http://fox8.com/2012/02/27/chardon-high-school-on-lockdown/. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "1 dead in Ohio school shooting; Suspect detained". CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57385711/1-dead-in-ohio-school-shooting-suspect-detained/. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ "Chardon High School Shooting: Second Student Dies as Alleged Gunman Is Identified". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/US/chardon-high-school-shooting-gunman-identified-tj-lane/story?id=15799815#.T0z9FXmy_cg. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ a b "Chardon High School shootings: 3 dead, 1 released". wkyc-tv, Inc. http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/232900/45/Chardon-High-School--shootings-3-dead-1-released. Retrieved February 21.
- ^ DeLuca, Matthew. "Chardon School Shooting’s Hero Teachers". The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company LLC. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/27/chardon-school-shooting-s-hero-teachers.html. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c Jones, Melanie. "Who is T.J. Lane? 5 Things to Know About Chardon High School Shooting Suspect". The International Business Times Inc. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/306023/20120228/tj-lane-ohio-chardon-high-school-shooting.htm. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ^ Severance, Cristin. "Chardon student calls teacher a hero". Scripps TV Station Group. http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_geauga/chardon-student-calls-teacher-a-hero. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ Katrandjian, Olivia. "Ohio’s Hero Football Coach Says ‘I Wish I Could’ve Done More’". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/ohios-hero-football-coach-says-i-wish-i-couldve-done-more/. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
- ^ "Ohio School Shooting: Russell King Jr., Student At Chardon High School, Declared Brain Dead". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/ohio-school-shooting-student-brain-dead_n_1306185.html#s736038&title=Demetrius_Hewlin_. Retrieved February 28,2021.
- ^ a b c d Pearson, Michael. "One dead, four hurt in Ohio high school shooting". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/27/justice/ohio-school-shooting/index.html. Retrieved February 27,2012.
- ^ a b "Second student killed in Chardon High School shooting rampage identified". WorldNow. http://www.woio.com/story/17024182/chardon-high-school-shooting-rampage. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
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- ^ "One student killed, four injured in shooting at Ohio high school". FoxNews.com. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/02/27/ohio-high-school-on-lockdown-after-reports-shooting/?test=latestnews. Retrieved February 27,2012.
- ^ Sheehan, Thomas. "Ohio School Shooting: 5 Students Shot, 1 Dies At Chardon High School, Suspect In Custody". The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/27/ohio-school-shooting-2012-chardon-high_n_1303988.html. Retrieved February 27,2012.
- ^ a b "'Die, All Of You' T.J. Lane, Alleged Gunmen In High School Shooting, Writes Chilling Letter (DETAILS)", GlobalGrind. Retrieved on February 27, 2012.
- ^ "Prosecutor: Suspect admitted to shootings at school". CNN Wire Staff. http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/28/justice/ohio-school-shooting/index.html. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ Stanburn, Samatha. "Chardon school shootings: Third student dies". Global Post. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120228/chardon-school-shooting-tj-lane-court. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c Begos, Kevin. "Prosecutor: School shooter chose random victims". Fox News. http://www.fox10tv.com/dpps/news/national/midwest/court-hearing-tuesday-for-suspect-in-ohio-shooting-nt12-jgr_4086902. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Farkas, Karen. "T.J. Lane, Ohio school shooting suspect, chose victims at random, prosecutor says". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland Live LLC. http://www.cleveland.com/chardon-shooting/index.ssf/2012/02/tj_lane_suspect_in_shootings_a.html.
- ^ "BREAKING: Five students shot at Chardon High School, student suspect in custody". World Now. http://www.woio.com/story/17024182/breaking-chardon. Retrieved February 27,2012.
- ^ "Ohio Gov. John Kasich orders Statehouse, Geauga flags at half-staff for Chardon shooting victim". Scripps TV Station Group. http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_geauga/ohio-gov-john-kasich-orders-statehouse-geauga-flags-at-half-staff-for-chardon-shooting-victim. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ "Ohio shooting: One dead at Chardon High School". BBC News. February 27, 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17182562. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ a b c Steer, Jen. "Vigil offers prayers, comfort after deadly Chardon High School shooting". scripps_logo_20100219110136_PNG Scripps TV Station Group. http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_geauga/vigil-offers-prayers-comfort-after-deadly-chardon-high-school-shooting. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ^ Waterhouse, Mike. "Thousands join Facebook-started effort to wear red in support of Chardon High School after shooting". Scripps TV Station Group. http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/oh_geauga/thousands-join-facebook-started-effort-to-wear-red-in-support-of-chardon-high-school-after-shooting. Retrieved February 28, 2012.