School shooting in Cleveland.

[Subrick]

By JOE MILICIA, Associated Press Writer

49 minutes ago

CLEVELAND - A 14-year-old suspended student, dressed in black, opened fire in his downtown high school Wednesday, wounding four people as terrified schoolmates hid in closets and bathrooms and huddled under laboratory desks. He then killed himself.

A fellow student at SuccessTech Academy alternative school said the shooter, who was suspended for fighting two days earlier, had made threats in front of students and teachers last week.

"He's crazy. He threatened to blow up our school. He threatened to stab everybody," Doneisha LeVert said. "We didn't think nothing of it."

Police Chief Michael McGrath said it appeared that the shooter used two weapons, but added that the coroner's office will need to finish its work to confirm that. Parents were angry that firearms got into a school equipped with metal detectors.

Mayor Frank Jackson said two adults and three teens were injured, including a 14-year-old girl who fell and hurt her knee while running out of the school.

Witnesses said the black-clad shooter moved through the converted five-story downtown office building, working his way up through the first two floors of administrative offices to the third floor of classrooms.

Antonio Deberry, 17, said he and his classmates hid under laboratory tables and watched the shooter move down the hallway. "I saw him walking past. He didn't see us, we saw him." Deberry said the shooter swore and shot several times.

The shooter was identified by an official close to the investigation as Asa H. Coon. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because Coon's family was being notified.

LeVert said she hid in a closet with two other students after she heard a "Code Blue" alert over the loudspeaker. She said she heard about 10 shots.

Ronnell Jackson, 15, said he saw the shooter running down a school hallway.

"He was about to shoot me, but I got out just in time," he said. "He was aiming at me I got out just in time."

Coon had been suspended since Monday for fighting, said Charles Blackwell, president of SuccessTech's student-parent organization. He did not know how Coon got into the building Wednesday.

LeVert, the student, said Coon was a "gothic" who usually wore a trench coat, black boots and a dog collar.

Blackwell said there was a security guard on the first floor, but that the position of another guard on the third floor had been eliminated sometime earlier.

Students stood outside the building, many in tears, hugging each other and on cell phones. Others shouted at reporters with TV cameras to leave them alone. Family members also stood outside, anxiously waiting for their children to be released.

Tammy Mundy, 38, who has a son and daughter at the school, told The Plain Dealer that her daughter called when the shooting started.

"She said, 'Mom they're shooting in here, kids are running out, I'm hiding in the closet,'" Mundy told the newspaper.

Then she called her 18-year-old son, Darnell Rodgers, on his cell phone, and he told her he had been shot in the arm.

"He said, 'Mom, I got shot,'" Mundy told the newspaper.

A hospital spokeswoman said Rodgers was listed in stable condition. David Kachadourian, 57, was in good condition, and a 42-year-old man was in surgery and his condition unavailable. The other two injured teens were taken to a children's hospital, which would not release their names, ages or conditions.

Deberry's mother, Lakisha Deberry, said she was upset that metal detectors at the school were not always in use.

"You never know what's going on in someone's mind," said Deberry, who said she was required to go through a metal detector and present an identification card whenever she wanted to drop off something at school for her children.

The shooting occurred across the street from the FBI office in downtown Cleveland, and students were being sent to the FBI site.

All schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District will be canceled Thursday, said Eugene Sanders, chief executive officer of the district. Counseling will be available Thursday for students at recreation centers throughout the city, Sanders said.

SuccessTech Academy is an alternative high school in the Cleveland city school district that emphasizes technology and entrepreneurship. It is housed on several floors of the district's downtown Cleveland Lakeside Avenue administration building.

"It's a shining beacon for the Cleveland Metropolitan School System," said John Zitzner, founder and president of E City Cleveland, a nonprofit group aimed at teaching business skills to inner-city teens. "It's orderly, it's disciplined, it's calm, it's focused."

The school has about 240 mainly black students with a small number of white and Hispanic students.

The school, opened five years ago, ranks in the middle of the state's ratings for student performance. Its graduation rate is 94 percent, well above the district's rate of 55 percent.

[Legendeath]

Meh. Was he asian? I am too lazy to read through it all.

Edited October 10, 2007 by Legendeath

[Heart Breaker]

When will this shit end? Fuck.

[Spectre]

HB it will end when people stop making fun of otherpeople for being "different". thats why High school sucks. im done this year not that it matters. no one carea in 12th grade.

Edited October 11, 2007 by UR-86

[Fozy]

lmffao Coon.

[jitz]

Man if the same fucking excuse of "kids do this because they're teased" was true, then fat kids around the entire world would be hauling machine guns to school and knocking out three quarters of the world's population.

It's bullshit. The problem is one dickhead actually planned out his attack on his school, for a long time, he was sick and twisted and wanted to kill people. Since then a bunch of vunerable kids have heard, read and seen these school shootings news stories and suddenly it becomes a great idea to get their revenge. They're copycats in the most basic form. Copy cats are dangerous because you create a cycle, a cycle that's nearly impossible to end.

Here's a tip, another kids will bring a gun to school and shoot of a shit load of bullets then shoot himself, and another, and another, and another, and it will keep on happening. You can't stop it. Suddenly it's become a great idea, it preys on these attacker's inner psyche - they want revenge, and they don't want to live.

Fact is, plenty of people have gone through school with far worse bullying than these kids. These kids just give up too early. If you're getting picked on so much because you wear a black trench coat and black boots to school - don't wear them, express yourself in other ways - fact is, school is not the best place to display your love for the macabre. It has no place in school where kids are simply their to learn, express yourself on weekends. At work, I have to wear a uniform. I own a black trench coat, I don't wear it to work because it has no place being there, I'm there to work.

Part of the blame rests with parents and this bullshit ideal that you can be whoever you want to be and people will love you for it. It's crap, you can't. People will tease the fat guy (not just kids), people will snigger at the guy in funny clothing. Either you have enough self confidence and enough friends who don't care or like the same shit that you can pull it off; or you're going to be a social outcast living a very lonely life.

Also these kids love to have this 'lone wolf' persona, where they walk around with steely eyes like they're on a mission to photocopy their assignment, but the year is 1984 and they're The Terminator, and that photocopier is Sarah Connor. They play it up, and then get pissed off when people make fun of their ridicolous tone of voice when asked a simple question like "hey man how are you?". Dude you're not Arnold Swarzenegger.

The answer to stopping the shootings is better gun control, and every world authority has already told America this, but you guys keep waiving your constitution in the fucking air, shouting second amendment this, second amendment that. Fine shoot each other, we don't care. Fact is no one needs a gun for self protection. No one should be able to go to the local gun store and buy a hand gun - fick, there shouldn't be a local gun shop. No other comparable country to America has this mentality, which is why America has the highest shooting rate.

Change the constitution, you don't have right to bear arms, no civilised country does. Guys, the civil war is over.

[Subrick]

There's just one problem with your 2nd amendment arguement. It's on the Bill of Rights, and in the US the Bill of Rights is not allowed to be changed in any way, shape or form.

[♠F]

You can't stop it. Suddenly it's become a great idea, it preys on these attacker's inner psyche - they want revenge, and they don't want to live.

Thats true, I think now people who feel victimized at school for what ever reason will want to take revenge on the people who have hurt him/her, by doing stupid things.

These kids just give up too early. If you're getting picked on so much because you wear a black trench coat and black boots to school - don't wear them, express yourself in other ways.

When I was 16 I suffered severe depression and tried to kill myself twice because it was the clothes that I wore that people thought it would be good to call me names because I was top to toe in black clothing, but I never once thought of killing those that have hurt me, the thing with school is you have your popular people, the not so popular people and then you have your so called losers, its people with no brains and a head full of air that think calling people names will get them somewhere in life, the popular people. I still wear black clothing, I still play my music loud and I don't care what others think of it to be honest, I have grown up and its about time others do the same, why should this guy just remove his clothes and replace them with ones that would look "Normal" this is this guys identity, like mine wearing black and listening to death metal is my identity and I would not change that for no one.

Part of the blame rests with parents and this bullshit ideal that you can be whoever you want to be and people will love you for it. It's crap, you can't. People will tease the fat guy (not just kids), people will snigger at the guy in funny clothing.

Yes blaming it on parents is a good one, but why not blame it also on the friends that you hang around with i.e. your best mate smokes dope and you don't, peer pressure will strike and you will end up smoking that shit and you can be whoever you want wear whatever you want, but people will always have their opinions but unless it is constructive criticism just keep your mouth shut I say.

The answer to stopping the shootings is better gun control

True, but kids will always have guns, just look at the state of the UK.

[Fozy]

What? We don't have much guns, it's very rare here, fuck off you know-it-all.

Depression because people slagged you? Fuck sake, grow some balls.

[jitz]

Yeah the UK has very little murder cause by guns, compared to the US anyway.

True, but kids will always have guns,

That's not true at all. It's a mentality that the US has gotten stuck into their heads. If you make something difficult to get, you will get 95% if guns off the streets. People are lazy. If I wanted a gun, I have to pass a criminal record examination, pass a shooting examination, and I have to be a member at a shooting range or live outside of the metropolitan area. You also under no circumstances can leave it loaded. I can't be fucked doing all that. That's a lot of money and a lot of time. It cuts out the casual people that only had one because everyone else had one, now only the die hard NRA types will have guns.

It's the simplest way to lower the country's murder count.

There's just one problem with your 2nd amendment arguement. It's on the Bill of Rights, and in the US the Bill of Rights is not allowed to be changed in any way, shape or form.

Not true at all, complete misconception there. America is a democracy, as it's been yelling to the entire world. Anything can be change with a vote in a democracy. For example Australia's Prime Minister is talking about holding a referendum to change our constitution to recognise Aborigines as the country's original inhabitants (it's just an election ploy to drum up votes and will never pass because we're a very racist country - fuck the blacks). The Bill of Rights is simply a bill - a law. A very basic law written so long ago, it's extremely outdated. You could even argue in a court that the country was unfit at the time to make such a long standing law. Fact is no President will ever challenge the bill. It's presidential suicide. America is so fucked in the head that the population now relies on guns - something which that wanker Michael Moore completely glossed over in Bowling for Columbine. If gun control was brought in, then gun sales would plummet, then ammunition sales will plummet - then manufacturers, distributors, retailers, advertisers, firing ranges, etc all go out of business. Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be lost. The economy of the country would collapse. America relies of people killing people now, and it's completely fucked. It can't change.

Also lets not forget that the interpretation of "the right to bear arms", is an interpretation of a very unclear law.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

The country was at war with itself, it clearly wasn't meant that everyone is allowed guns. It was talking about a well regulated militia to guard the country. There isn't a militia anymore, so they no longer have the right to bear arms. You probably didn't even know the wording of the second amendment. You just thought it said everyone could carry guns, because that's all America cares about. It doesn't say everyone can have a gun at all. There is no period after talking about the militia, so the people of the militia had the right to bear arms. Once again, the thing was written in 1789, when law wasn't as exact as it is today. You couldn't make such a vague law today, it would never pass. You can change the constitution, and America should. A lot of Americans would also say the same thing.

Oh and it's owrth noting that I'm completely ignoring most of Fallen Angels arguement because it's soft bullshit that raves on about the bullshit ideal that parents feed you that you can be whomever you want to be and it doesn't matter what anybody says. I already told you - that's bullshit and always has been. That's the way it is and always will be, either toughen up or wear something that fits in with everyone else, that's just the way the entire world is. When you get older, you can be different. Poeple have grown up by then and no one gives a shit, they have better things to do with their time. Kids though are stuck inside a building all day learning, they have a lot of energy and they'll release it on the easiest and closest target.

[♠F]

What? We don't have much guns, it's very rare here

Yes its very rare here for someone to kill people at a school yes but what is not rare is kids with guns, you must be oblivious to the fact that there is a gun culture in the UK and its only a matter of time before some kids starts to blow away his teachers and friends just because they said something they didn't wanna hear.

Depression because people slagged you?

It was more than that but I don't wish to discuss it, name calling was just a part of it, until you have experienced what I have you best keep you mouth shut because you know nothing.

I have to pass a criminal record examination, pass a shooting examination

I know how it works, but your forgetting the guns that are illegally smuggled into the UK thats how kids get them, if kids can get drugs from Afghanistan they can also get a gun.

[CS]

[quote name='♠F

[Fozy]

Way to show your immaturity.

[Legendeath]

I would like to get rid of guns but at the same time it really wouldn't matter. If a killer really wanted a gun and they were banned wouldn't he try to get it smuggled in?

[Subrick]

If guns were banned it would be as effective as prohibition.

[Fozy]

Guns are banned here. It's VERY effective.

[Spectre]

You dont need guns in scotland, cause everyone there is just having a good time and drinking(or is that Ireland). Maybe i should move to scotland hmmm.

Also Scotland and the U.S are totally different, what would people in Scotland do if alcohol was banned?

Edited October 14, 2007 by UR-86

[Thom]

When I was 16 I suffered severe depression and tried to kill myself twice because it was the clothes that I wore

Dude if they're that bad I can suggest some outfits for you?

Edited October 14, 2007 by Thom

[jitz]

I would like to get rid of guns but at the same time it really wouldn't matter. If a killer really wanted a gun and they were banned wouldn't he try to get it smuggled in?

Exactl, you've now cut down the people who have guns to the absolute die hards who really want one. Most school kids don't, they only have access to one when they are extremely vunerable, which causes the attacks.

Plus banning guns makes them more expensive, no school kid could afford one.

Keep going though, the naivety of Americans amuses me. "Do nothing! That's the answer!".

[Subrick]

You dont need guns in scotland, cause everyone there is just having a good time and drinking(or is that Ireland). Maybe i should move to scotland hmmm.

Also Scotland and the U.S are totally different, what would people in Scotland do if alcohol was banned?

They'd sneak it in. Plus Scots don't need guns because they got their fists!

[Nemo]

a ban on guns just takes them away from people who got them legitimately. yeah, itd cause a decrease in school shootings, the only problem with that is school shootings arent all that common. criminals who have unregistered guns would continue to kill people with them and we'd be right back where we started with little or no progress made.

so yeah, ban guns. leave innocents defenseless against those who obtain weapons illegally. that'll work.

[Subrick]

If guns were banned things like this wouldn't happen.

[Nemo]

and thats a bad thing?

[jitz]

so yeah, ban guns. leave innocents defenseless against those who obtain weapons illegally. that'll work.

The rest of the world does fine though. Your reasoning if flawed.

[Subrick]

and thats a bad thing?

That's not a bad thing (cheesy, DDP like smile), it's a good thing!