After the announcement of a second death following Monday morning's Chardon High School shooting, Ohio Gov. John Kasich ordered the flags at the Statehouse be flown at half-staff.
Three students — Danny Parmertor, Russell King and Demetrius Hewlin — died after a shooting at Chardon High School Monday morning. Two more students, Nick Walczak and Joy Rickers, also were injured and are being treated at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.
Students identified the shooter as student T.J. Lane.
About 70 Ohio University students are Chardon High School alumni, and they have planned a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Many OU students wore red Tuesday in support of the victims.
There will be flags flown at half-staff in Geauga County until March 3, according to a news release from Kasich’s office.
Kasich also issued a statement in response to the shooting:
Supporter,
Yesterday was a tragic day with the school shooting in Chardon and as Ohioans, we stand together to mourn the lives that have been lost.
Please join me in praying for the families who lost loved ones or were injured and for the community as it begins to try to heal from this terrible day. We should recognize the Chardon Police, the sheriff’s office, the Chardon High School administrators and staff for quickly getting this situation under control.
Coach Frank Hall, math teacher Joseph Ricci and the other teachers deserve special recognition for their heroism. I’ve pledged Ohio’s full support to law enforcement, the school and the local community in this difficult time.
Today is a day for prayer and reflection as we mourn and ask God to care for those that we’ve lost. As Ohioans, our resolve is strong and we stand together at this moment of grief. We are all Chardon Hilltoppers today.
Sincerely,
John R. Kasich
Governor of Ohio
