Off Campus Shooting

[Chef Dave]

We had an emergency faculty meeting today. It seems that one of our freshmen was shot and killed this morning while off campus. His cousin, a freshman who doesn't attend our school is now being sought after by the police. Our faculty and staff have been cautioned to alert the office in the event we see this student on campus. He is said to be armed and dangerous.

School procedures have not changed and we have not gone into lockdown.

The only teachers who are nervous are the ones who now have the freshmen classes as the shooter is known to have many friends and associates who are freshmen.

Our district police officer is monitoring the school security cameras. Additional law enforcement are said to be patrolling the area.

[Chef Dave]

Hmmmmm ... after reading the morning paper, I realize that the shooting took place the night before last ... right on the street where I live as it turns out. Now I understand why my neighborhood was crawling with cops, the rescue unit from the local volunteer fire department, and an ambulance.

The shooter was caught this morning as he tried approaching his cousin's house, obstinately to speak with his aunt about the shooting.

http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2008/02/27/local_news/doc47c4ad233aae4104055912.txt

[Chef Dave]

The 14 year old shooter has claimed that the shooting was an accident. Insofar as he was on juvenile probation for drug possession and committed the shooting using a stolen handgun, he panicked and hid out with friends.

The shooter claims that he thought the weapon was unloaded. He said he removed the clip but did not realize that a round had been chambered or that the safety was off. While "playing" with his cousin, he said he was demonstrating what he would do to anyone who messed with him. He pointed the weapon at his cousin's forehead and pulled the trigger ... and the weapon went off.

[Bananas]

Hoping that all in the school and community finds the strength and support.

[busbus]

I feel so sorry for this young man. From where did he get the gun? There are too many guns available for anyone to obtain. It's such a tragedy that lives are taken and others destroyed by these weapons being in the hands of innocent young people, gang members and criminals.

I don't really know if this young man truly knew what he was doing or if it was really an accident. I do hope that where he got the gun comes out during the investigation. If he got it from someone, to me, that person is just as guilty in this unnecessary death and should also pay the consequences.

[Chef Dave]

The family has been having a wake that has now lasted for three days. Thursday night wasn't bad but last night (technically this morning), I woke up at 3 AM. A large crowd of (apparently) drunken people were staggering down the middle of the street literally wailing and pulling at their hair.

Friends and relatives ran up to some of the individuals and pulled them away - and the rest of the crowd continued down the street screaming and shouting.

It is now late Saturday afternoon. The wake continues and cars have parked in my driveway without permission. If I wanted to leave, I couldn't.

Under ordinary circumstances, I would probably complain but given the situation, I won't say anything unless the cars continue to block me on Sunday.