Florida School Shooting: Shaker Heights Superintendent Comments

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — On Wednesday, a teenage shooter killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The all-too-familiar tragedy sent tremors of shock and terror through America and Shaker Heights Superintendent Gregory Hutchings has penned an open letter to the victims and their families, as well as to the Shaker community, in response.

"This morning, our hearts go out to the students, families and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County, Florida. The unimaginable tragedy that occurred there Wednesday reminds us that no community is immune from the senseless violence that strikes our society with alarming frequency," he said. "Students, families, teachers and other school employees throughout our nation are rightfully concerned for their safety."

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said 12 people died in the school building, two outside the school and one on the street. Two people died at the hospital from their injuries, the sheriff said. Fourteen people injured in the shooting were being treated at local hospitals.

Hutchings asked for political action on gun control to stem the tide of violence in schools and other public venues.

"Wednesday’s school shooting was the 18th in 2018. Condolences, no matter how genuine and heartfelt, are clearly not enough. Schools, no matter how well-prepared, cannot stop this senseless act of violence alone. One year ago, Congress voted to block a law that made it more difficult for citizens diagnosed with mental illness to purchase weapons. This trend has got to stop. Our elected officials must give us sensible laws and policies that will better protect our children and adults. It is incumbent on all of us to demand that our leaders address this issue before another human being is harmed," he said.

The shooting also prompted Hutching to address how his own district handled student safety.

"In the Shaker Schools, our security staff works closely with our partners in the Shaker Heights Police Department to ensure that our staff and our students know what to do in an emergency. We will continue to work with police on preventative measures, such as random searches of lockers and safety protocols, to deter students from bringing contraband into our buildings. Further, our students are often our best partners in safety: they know that when they see something suspicious, it's crucial to say something to an adult in charge. Most important, our staff works to meet the social and emotional needs of our students with the goal of identifying potential trouble before it turns into a tragedy," he said.

Photo: Alison Shonk, 18, and her mother, Wendy, came from opposite directions on foot to a tearful sidewalk reunion on University Drive as sirens wailed around them Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018, in Parkland, Florida. Photo by Paul Scicchitano.