Ohio high school shooting claims third victim

[News_Editor]

Ohio high school shooting claims third victim

2012-02-29 21:25:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHARDON, Ohio (BNO NEWS) -- A 16-year-old student died on Tuesday after a shooting rampage at his Ohio high school on Monday morning, hospital officials said, raising the death toll to three. The suspected gunman also appeared in court on Tuesday.

The incident occurred on early Monday morning at Chardon High School, which is located in Geauga County, when 17-year-old student T.J. Lane allegedly entered the school's cafeteria and opened fire at students who were arriving at the school before the first period of the day.

Four students were shot in the school's cafeteria while a fifth student was shot in the hallway, officials previously said. 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor died at MetroHealth's Level One Trauma Center shortly after the shooting while 17-year-old Russell King died later on Monday.

MetroHealth officials said 16-year-old Demetrius Hewlin died of his injuries on Tuesday morning. "We are very saddened by the loss of our son and others in our Chardon community," his family said in a statement. "Demetrius was a happy young man who loved life and his family and friends. We will miss him very much but we are proud that he will be able to help others through organ donation."

Also on Tuesday, alleged gunman T.J. Lane made his first court appearance but gave no details as to why he allegedly carried out the shooting attack. He is expected to be charged with three counts of aggravated murder and other offenses, and juvenile court judges must determine whether Lane will be tried as an adult or as a juvenile.

The deadliest high school school massacre in U.S. history happened in April 1999 when 18-year-old Eric Harris and 17-year-old Dylan Klebold went on a killing spree at Columbine High School in Colorado, killing 12 students and one teacher before committing suicide. The massacre prompted changes in school security across the United States.

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