UPDATED: By now, most of America has read about the shooting at Mattoon High School in Mattoon, IL. In talking with a slew of people, in addition to published media reports, we've assembled it together here.
For those interested, Heavy.com has a heavily edited version of scanner traffic as the event unfolded. I can't figure out how to embed it here. It's worth a listen. At least the first few minutes.
The would-be murderer, according to police and witnesses, is a 16-year-old 14-year-old freshman. His name is out there, but we're opting not to publish it. His mom is a mental health professional (some say a psychologist or psychiatrist). Dad's not in the picture at home.
Yes, pretty much everyone says the boy was bullied. His tormenter was an older, bigger female. Yes, the would-be murderer was bullied by a girl. Reportedly, she's been on him since early this school year. In once incident, she allegedly poured a soda on the boy's head. Tuesday marked the first day back for both after a suspension from yet another incident.
On Tuesday, the boy went into the cafeteria with his backpack/book bag, sat down roughly across from his tormenter, and pulled the pistol. The heroine here, teacher Angela McQueen, saw the kid produce the gun and point it female who had been bullying him. The teacher acted instantly, and pushed his arm away. When the gun discharged, the round struck a boy seated nearby. Fortunately, he's probably going to be okay and make a full recovery.
The two wrestled for control of the gun. In the process, the gun fired a number of times into the ceiling. In the end, the school resource officer disarmed the kid and put him into cuffs. Props and then some to teacher Angela McQueen. The people of Mattoon shall forever be grateful for her courageous, quick thinking response. We salute her. Many folks would have merely squealed and run for cover. Angela McQueen saved lives. For that, she's a hero.
Believe it or not, the local prosecutor charged the boy with aggravated battery with a firearm instead of attempted murder. The Decatur Herald and Review reported the prosecutor's explanation for the soft charge:
Bower said he didn't charge the teen with attempted murder because that charge requires an attempt at killing a specific person. It's also the same classification of offense as aggravated battery with a firearm and the possible sentence is the same, he said.
Does State's Attorney Bower think this kid just wanted to play pattycake using that gun against the girl who had been tormenting him? Why isn't this kid facing charges as an adult? (Edit: We now know he's 14 and that pretty much precludes adult charges.) He tried to kill that girl and might have killed who knows how many others if not for the good fortune of a courageous teacher standing nearby.
If convicted as a juvenile, he might not even be in juvenile prison until he turns 21.
Then he'll be let loose upon society.
It's ridiculous how this boy is being portrayed as a "victim". He's no "victim". He's a would-be killer.
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