CHARDON, Ohio — Classes are canceled, grief counselors are on hand and flags are flying at half-staff throughout Chardon.
A sleepy community known for its snowfall more than anything else was thrust into the national spotlight Monday.
It’s the latest casualty in a long, sad list of schools targeted by a teen shooter.
Multiple sources have identified the alleged shooter at Chardon High School Monday morning to Fox 8 News as Thomas “TJ” Lane.
Those sources tell Fox 8 News that Lane is a student at Lake Academy, a school described on their website as being for, “at-risk students.”
The 17-year-old left behind clues about his intentions, but no one thought he was capable of acting on them.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook.com
According to a spokesperson for the Geauga County juvenile court, a hearing for Lane will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.
Lane is the only individual arrested in connection with the shootings that erupted at 7:38 a.m.
One student has died from the shootings, four others suffered injuries connected to the crime.
Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna said Daniel Parmertor died from injuries suffered in the shooting.
McKenna said two students had to be taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for the injuries they suffered. Those students are both currently listed in critical condition.
McKenna adds that the two students transported to Hillcrest Hospital with gun shot injuries are listed in stable and serious condition respectively.
McKenna did not identify all those shot.
A number of vigils were held Monday night to pray for the victims and to help the community deal with the tragedy.
Fox 8′s Emily Valdez joined students and others at Chardon Square.
People also gathered at the Chardon Assembly of God.
The family of deceased student Daniel Parmertor released a statement Monday afternoon, just hours after their loved one was killed in a tragic shooting at Chardon High School.
“We are shocked by this senseless tragedy. Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him. The family is torn by this loss. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Parmertor, 16, of Chardon, was one of three wounded students transported Monday morning by Life Flight from the high school crime scene to MetroHealth Medical Center’s Level One Trauma Center on Cleveland’s near west side.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the deceased victim.
About an hour before the family statement was released, Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna broke the terrible news. McKenna, in an afternoon news conference announced, “We have one deceased student right now.”
On Monday night, Fox 8′s Kevin Freeman reported on the survivors’ conditions.
Geauga County Sheriff Daniel McClelland had earlier said that five students were hospitalized following the shooting Monday morning at the high school.
During a late morning news conference, McClelland said that three of the injured students were taken to Metro and two others were taken to Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights.
Angela Kiska, of the Cleveland Clinic, said that a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female were the two victims transported to Hillcrest. As of late Monday morning, the teenage boy was in serious condition and the teen girl was stable.
McClelland added that shootings apparently occurred in multiple locations, seemingly suggesting that the shooter had specific targets in mind. The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit was used to apprehend the suspect “some distance from the school.”
SOME VICTIMS WERE CAREER CENTER STUDENTS
An official tells Fox 8′s Elisa Amigo that some of the victims in the high school shooting were students who attend the Auburn Career Center in Concord Township.
ACC Superintendent Maggie Lynch said that she believes at least three of the five injured students were CHS juniors who are bused daily to the career center, which is now closed for the day.
DISTRICT IN ‘CRISIS MODE’
Chardon Local Schools Superintendent Joseph Bergant II and Community Coordinator Ellen Ondrey were among those who discussed the situation with Fox 8 News on Monday morning. Ondrey said that the high school was on lockdown and that the entire district was in “crisis mode” as police continue to investigate the tragic situation.
Ondrey added that all classes in the district were cancelled. She said students at the high school and middle school had already started their day and bus runs for elementary school kids were stopped. Arrangements were made to get every CLS student home safely. Parents of high school students were instructed to go to Maple Elementary School to pick up their children.
A parent with whom Fox 8 News talked said that his child had called him from inside the high school. His son suggested that the shootings started in the cafeteria and that a total of five shots were fired.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS REACT TO SHOOTING
Ohio Gov. John Kasich issued the following statement:
“Ohio grieves today with the Parmertor family for the tragic loss of their son and brother Danny. It may seem like we’re powerless to reach them right now, but the power of our prayer is great and the Lord is reaching out to them now in ways we cannot fathom. I urge all Ohioans to join me in lifting up this family, the other wounded students and their families and the entire Chardon community at this difficult time.”
“Please join me in praying for the students who’ve been injured in this horrible crime. Praise goes to the Chardon Police and Geauga County Sheriff’s Office for quickly getting this situation under control. I’ve pledged Ohio’s full support to them, the school and the local community in this difficult time.”
—–
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown issued the following statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Chardon community today. I join Ohioans across the state in praying for the speedy recovery of the students that have been injured,” Brown said. “I stand ready to provide whatever assistance possible to the victims and their families—as well as to local, state, and federal law enforcement to ensure that the suspect is brought to justice.”
—–
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine issued the following statement:
“Today’s shooting is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families as well as the entire student body and staff at Chardon High School. … The Attorney General’s Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is on the scene and will be assisting local law enforcement in processing the crime scene. BCI and our office will do all we can to help in this investigation.”
—–
Ohio Department of Education Superintendent Stan Heffner issued the following statement:
“My deepest sympathies are with the students and their families, staff and teachers of the Chardon School District and the Chardon community as they work through the tragic incident on their school campus this morning. Please keep them in your thoughts today. I appreciate the quick response to this situation by Superintendent Bergandt and law enforcement and first responders to protect the students and to quickly apprehend the persons responsible for this horrific act.”
—–
State Senator John Eklund issued the following statement:
“I ask that you join me in extending the sincerest thoughts and prayers to the students and families that have been affected by this morning’s tragedy. I would also like to commend the swift and effective efforts of local law enforcement entities as they continue to assess this situation. Our hearts and minds will remain with the Chardon community throughout this time.”
CHURCHES TO HOLD POST-SHOOTING PRAYER VIGILS
Multiple churches have announced that they will hold prayer vigils this evening in response to the high school shooting. Click here for complete details.
Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for more information on this story as it becomes available.
