The shooter lives a couple blocks from where I grew up and where my Dad lives, it use to be a nice neighbor but has deteriorated over the years badly and as the old timers die the houses are sold to HUD. He has been in trouble with the law many times. He's been arrested for domestic violence on his mother, he was the product of a domestic violence charge when he was five, his parents are divorced and the dad is not in the picture, His brother was arrested the day before the shooting for carrying a gun while on probation. He was involved in a drive by shooting a couple weeks ago, his discipline record at school is long and troubled. Teachers, neighbors, peers, all knew he would blow some day.
Police had been called to his home many times over the years, it was a troubled and dysfunctional home. He was sent to an interim shelter facility (which is right down the street from my Dad) until a bed became available in the youth development center and while there tried to kill himself. He was put on medications and finally sent to the detention center. Upon his release he refused to follow his probation and did not take his medications. He was described as a very angry young man, ordered into anger management classes and family counseling.
He entered the school from the front door even though he was suspended for fighting the day before. There is a security guard at the door but he was not stopped. He was carrying a duffel bag with clothes, guns and knives. He went to the 4th floor where the classrooms are held, changed into black clothes in the restroom, took the guns out, and went out and shot the two teachers who were involved in suspending him. Evidently another student saw him changing into the black clothes and didn't alert anyone.
This is a troubling situation as many thing failed for this to happen. The teen comes from a troubled home, lives in a troubled neighborhood, has been in trouble numerous times, the school's security is very lax, there were warning signs....blaring warning signs.
Nancy