Ohio High School Shooting: Student Suspect to Be Tried as Adult
Published at(CHARDON, Ohio) — Hundreds of people gathered at a church in Chardon, Ohio, Tuesday night to mourn and pray for the victims of the shooting at Chardon High School, where three students have died and two remain hospitalized.
Prosecutors told ABC News that they plan to charge the alleged shooter, T.J. Lane, as an adult. The 17-year-old now stands accused of murdering three students that he “chose randomly,” according to a prosecutor.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich attended the church gathering on Tuesday, where he spoke to the mourners about standing together after a horrible tragedy.
“It’s all about love. It’s about reaching out to people who you never thought about reaching out to before. It’s about making everyone feel special for who they are,” Kasich told the mourners.
One of Lane’s own friends who witnessed the shooting, ABC News has learned, posted a message on Facebook about his friend.
“I wanted so bad to try and help you but i could see in your eyes you didn’t care anymore. I’m sorry buddy,” the posting read.
Russell King and Demetrius Hewlin, students wounded in Monday’s shooting, died Tuesday morning, officials said, while Nick Walczak remains hospitalized and Joy Rickers has been released from the hospital.
Another victim, identified by MetroHealth Hospital as Daniel Parmertor, died from the wounds on Monday, hours after being shot.
Lane made his first appearance in juvenile court on Tuesday. The judge did not allow the accused to be shown on camera, and the prosecutor did not provide a motive for the lethal shooting spree.
However, at a news conference shortly after the court hearing, prosecutor David Joyce said, “This is not about bullying. This is not about drugs. This is someone who is not well.”
“[Lane] confessed to taking the pistol and admitted he went into the cafeteria and shot 10 rounds,” Joyce said. “[He said he] did not know the students, but chose them randomly.”
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