CBS/AP October 29, 2018, 11:49 AM Student dies after being shot at North Carolina high school
Yet another senseless death has happened. Student to student violence and access to a gun has created enormous loss and grief for one family as well as the family of the shooter, students, the school community and the entire nation. While a single shooting doesn’t draw the same level of coverage as a mass shooting it is no less a profound loss.
The student who shot another did so because of a dispute. Curriculum in all schools should include conflict resolution education along with self awareness, social emotional learning etc…I have spoken with more than a few teachers who tell me that these types of trainings & discussions are not frequent enough and bullying and other forms of violence are the norm rather than the exception.
“A North Carolina high school student shot and killed a fellow student during a fight in a crowded school hallway Monday, officials said, prompting a lockdown and generating an atmosphere of chaos and fear as dozens of parents rushed to the school to make sure their children were safe.
The police department in Matthews, about 12 miles southeast of Charlotte, said the student suspect was quickly taken into custody by a school resource officer after the shooting at Butler High School.
The male student victim was transported to a hospital and died there, police Capt. Stason Tyrrell said at a press conference. “It’s been an extremely tragic event for us here in Matthews for the Butler High School community,” Tyrrell said.
The shooting was believed to be an isolated incident, the police said on Facebook. Tyrrell didn’t release the victim’s age or identity but referred to the student as a male. Tyrrell said officials reviewed surveillance video, which showed the fight.
“We heard a bang and we seen them starting to fight,” Butler high school senior Lester Henline told CBS affiliate WBTV. “All of the sudden he pulled out a pistol and everybody started running.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox told WSOC-TV that the student who fired the gun was angry with another student, leading to the shooting.
“We’re incredibly sad, and we’re sorry for this family,” Wilcox said. “But we’re also sorry for the young person who thought the only way to solve this problem was with a gun.”
While police have not confirmed what kind of gun was used, Wilcox said: “I don’t know how a young person gets a handgun in the state of North Carolina.” He said the school system was reviewing its security procedures.
Before the lockdown was lifted, dozens of parents gathered outside of the school to await word on the students. Multiple parents told local television channels that they felt confused and unsure about where to meet with their children.
“A kid was shot, they want us to go to class,” the freshman, Joshua Cherry, is heard saying in the video. “Kids are crying. It’s a mess.”
When students were allowed to leave, the video showed students streaming out, with many crying and hugging parents.