Friday, Dec. 13th, a shooting occurred at Arapahoe High School in Contennial, CO injuring at least 2 people. Only one of these injuries left the victim in critical condition. The suspect, who was identified as a student, died from self inflicted wounds.
The first shots rang out around 12:30 p.m. which initiated standard lock down procedures. According to Country Sherriff Greyson Robinson, the shooter “targeted a specific teacher that he was interested in confronting.”
The teacher left the school immediately once he heard the student was looking for him. As for the students, the initial shock of the incident will last a life time. “We were shaking; we were crying; we were freaking out,” 9th grader Whitney Riley told CNN.
“It’s a very difficult day for Littleton schools and Arapahoe High School,” Scott Murphy, district superintendent, told the press.
Students began evacuating the building around 1:30 p.m. after which parents were notified and sent to Shepard of the hills Lutheran Church in order to reunite with their children.
“This is an unspeakable horror and something no child, no family should have to endure. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Arapahoe High School community and those affected by this senseless act of violence,” Hickenlooper said. “We thank law enforcement and first responders for their swift work. All of Colorado is with you.”
Interestingly enough, tomorrow, Dec. 14th marks the one year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which shocked the nation. 20 children and 6 faculty members were killed in the Newtown massacre, which was certainly a wake-up call to legislators working around the country to introduce new gun control laws to Congress.
To all of you Vikings out there, let’s work on ways to ensure something like this never happens at our school. It could be as simple as saying hi to a lonely student in the hallways for example, or reluctantly putting on your lanyard every day before walking into the building. These little routines are all it takes to help create a safe environment for years to come.
