2 students shotThis horror strikes home a little more. The incident happened in the classroom of a teacher who used to work at the school I'm at -- a very popular teacher among both students and staff.
Most recent reports have the female student in critical condition (head wound, but the bullet did not enter the brain). The male student is fairing much better, a through-and-through neck wound that missed all crucial structures.
Reliable information is consistent with this being "accidental" - a backpack was put on a table, then fell to the floor.
What the heck was he doing carrying a loaded firearm to school, anyway?The harsh reality is that many students feel that they need protection -- due to gangs, racial conflicts, bullying, etc.
Reports are coming out now that the student has a history of conflicts - at least two fights in the last year. Equally disturbing is a report that the weapon was provided by some adult (it was not stolen).
At my school (a middle school) we've have a program (Safe & Civil Schools) to help eliminate some of those problems -- and we have had success (incidents requiring suspensions are down more than 75% since 2004), but there is still much more to be done.