Geplaatst:19 okt 2007 09:21 - Gewijzigd: 19 okt 2007 09:21

Ohio school reopens after shootings

CLEVELAND - Onlookers cheered Tuesday as students filed calmly into their high school for the first time since an armed classmate opened fire last week, wounding four people before killing himself.

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The students filed through a newly installed metal detector and sent their backpacks through a scanner. „I’m excited. Worried? Not at all”, said senior Jasmine Lawrence, 17. „I always feel safe here. About the incident that happened last week, I was scared that day, but I feel that was just one person out of everyone who goes here.” Only 15 students were reported absent at SuccessTech Academy with an enrollment of about 250, said Ben Holbert, school district spokesman.

„We’re confident everything is going to be OK”, said Kim Middlebrooks, a parent who brought her 16-year-old daughter to school. „This is a very close-knit school.”

Classes had been canceled since Asa Coon, 14, wounded two teachers and two students last week. One of the wounded teachers was back at work, six days after he was treated for a minor wound near a shoulder.

Armed with two revolvers, Coon fired eight shots, and he may have targeted teachers, authorities have said. Police found the guns, a box of ammunition for each and three knives, all on or near Coon’s body. Coon was a troubled, angry youth, but he also was fond of chess and reading, according to those who knew him. Coon’s uncle said the teen was a bright student who saw his admission to SuccessTech, which stresses technology and entrepreneurship for high-achieving students, as a new chance after being bullied for most of his life.

School officials said last week the 50,000-student district, with 110 buildings, is installing metal detectors in each school and making sure a guard is on duty in every building.

John Thrasher, a 16-year-old junior, said he felt calm returning to class. „I think it’s going to be much safer than the last time”, he said. „We didn’t have metal detectors. Now we have that. I’m going to be more comfortable.” (World)