Yes, I am feeling a combination of all those emotions right now, horror, grief, rage and terror. I really feel the pain that the parents and families of the victims are going through right now, because it very well COULD have been David. I have no difficulty understanding this.
Just got through watching a news conference with the mayor of Valparaiso, the Superintendant and police chief. Lots of questions to be answered and really too soon, in spite of the badgering of the local media, to get any concrete answers. I fully understand that, and am willing to wait a reasonable time for accurate answers.
They are very proud of the security, or emergency preparedness plan they have in place. No metal detectors, but at the only two entrances to the school the kids, and visitors to the school, are allowed to enter by there is sign in supervision for visitors. That's all well and good for VISITORS. But this kid brought in two VERY LARGE knives, one described by Chief Brickner as a machete. These were concealed in his back pack. I can see no procedures currently in place to guard against the terror of a kid whose gone nuts. For whatever reason this 15 year old boy determined in his mind to go to school today and hurt someone. There were no procedures I can determine in place to stop him.
VHS is a fine school. I have first hand experience with how hands are they are with the kids. I have no complaints in that department. But I think, in spite of Columbine and the other school tragedies of the past few years, they have been more focused on an outsider coming into the school to harm the kids, and NOT on what a deranged student could potentially do.
I want to understand what happened to the kid who did this, who spred terror today. I, of course want him punished. But I also want him helped. I, also, can imagine the horror and confusion HIS parents must be feeling right now as well. He is 15. My son is 15. He is described as an A and B student. My son is an A and B student.
I keep thinking, there but for the grace of God go I.
pattyjo
Anybody who brings a machete to school and starts indiscriminately swinging away at whoever passes by in the hallway is seriously disturbed for some reason.
The root reason (in order of likelihood) I would guess is; a) illegal drug use, b) prescribed psychotropic drug use, c) sociopathic conscience, d) outright demon possession. Of course, there is always the possibility his girlfriend had just broken up with him for being the abusive nut he already is.
Machetes worked just fine in Rwanda. They obviously work pretty well in Valparaiso for somebody with the mind to use them and with no conscience to stop him.
Parenting and DISCIPLINE is all that was needed.....or should I say lacking.