Blake Smith
Nevada School Shooting
Two dead and two injured in middle school shooting
For millions of kids across the country, school is a safe haven, a sanctuary for kids to learn and have fun with friends. Even teachers are excited to be with their students and fellow staff members. Just like any other day, students and faculty at Sparks Middle School in Nevada got ready to go to school on Oct. 21 after their fall vacation. However, they never could have guessed that they were about to watch their friends and teacher shot by a student.
The shooter, Jose Reyes, shot two students at Sparks Middle School outside. Mike Landsberry, a popular math teacher at the school, went to help the students and attempt to reason with Reyes. The same student that shot his innocent classmates, then proceeded to shoot and kill Landsberry. 12-year-old Reyes then took his own life before law enforcement could reach him.
Raymore Police Capt. Jim Wilson said that the students and faculty of the school, like Landsberry, are the true first responders.
“The students and faculty of the school are the first responders, and because of that, it is very important that schools have policies in place so students and faculty know what to do. Even with all the training in the world, we can’t go without [students and faculty],” said Wilson.
Reyes allegedly took his parents 9mm semi-automatic handgun, went to school around 7:15 a.m., and opened fire on students outside.
Wilson said that one of the main things students can do in this kind of situation is be aware of your surroundings and realize that no plan or training is ever foolproof.
“You have to be aware of your surroundings and know what is going on. I think we would all be naive to think that anything is foolproof, but being aware of your surroundings can definitely help,” Wilson said.
Police are also investigating who the shooter was before he went to school on Oct. 21 and whether or not there is any motive behind the shooting. Some students say Reyes may have been bullied at school.
Reyes’ parents are cooperating with authorities. They may also face charges in this investigation, since their child obtained and used their gun in the shooting.
After the shooting, kids were sent to a nearby school to be picked up by parents, and did not return to school for the remainder of the week.
Wilson said that when there is an active shooting, everyone at the police department goes, even from neighboring law enforcement offices.
“Everybody [all law enforcement] goes and responds if there is a shooting. We’ll [Raymore Police Department] be requesting other entities,” Wilson said, “Peculiar will be listening to our channel, so they would respond when we do. We don’t wait for the tactical team to go, but we do have them. If need be, Highway patrol is monitoring our channel as well, and we can get back up even from Harrisonville, Grandview, Belton, and other stations around the area. Depending on the weather, we [the Raymore Police Department] could arrive at Eagle Glen or other schools in the Ray-Pec district within five minutes.”
Landsberry, the popular Sparks Middle School teacher who lost his life, is being dubbed as a hero nationwide. A Facebook memorial page and another page “Rest Easy Mr. Landsberry” was made in his honor. Collectively, the sites had more than 10,000 likes by Oct. 22.
Although there are never fool-proof responses to shooters, law enforcement and schools make sure to have policies and plans in place for school shooters. At the Sparks Middle School, all kids that were not cornered by Reyes were ushered inside by teachers quickly enough to avoid continued contact with the shooter. Not only that, but law enforcement arrived approximately three minutes after the 911 call was sent in.
Nevada School Shooting
Two dead and two injured in middle school shooting
For millions of kids across the country, school is a safe haven, a sanctuary for kids to learn and have fun with friends. Even teachers are excited to be with their students and fellow staff members. Just like any other day, students and faculty at Sparks Middle School in Nevada got ready to go to school on Oct. 21 after their fall vacation. However, they never could have guessed that they were about to watch their friends and teacher shot by a student.
The shooter, Jose Reyes, shot two students at Sparks Middle School outside. Mike Landsberry, a popular math teacher at the school, went to help the students and attempt to reason with Reyes. The same student that shot his innocent classmates, then proceeded to shoot and kill Landsberry. 12-year-old Reyes then took his own life before law enforcement could reach him.
Raymore Police Capt. Jim Wilson said that the students and faculty of the school, like Landsberry, are the true first responders.
“The students and faculty of the school are the first responders, and because of that, it is very important that schools have policies in place so students and faculty know what to do. Even with all the training in the world, we can’t go without [students and faculty],” said Wilson.
Reyes allegedly took his parents 9mm semi-automatic handgun, went to school around 7:15 a.m., and opened fire on students outside.
Wilson said that one of the main things students can do in this kind of situation is be aware of your surroundings and realize that no plan or training is ever foolproof.
“You have to be aware of your surroundings and know what is going on. I think we would all be naive to think that anything is foolproof, but being aware of your surroundings can definitely help,” Wilson said.
Police are also investigating who the shooter was before he went to school on Oct. 21 and whether or not there is any motive behind the shooting. Some students say Reyes may have been bullied at school.
Reyes’ parents are cooperating with authorities. They may also face charges in this investigation, since their child obtained and used their gun in the shooting.
After the shooting, kids were sent to a nearby school to be picked up by parents, and did not return to school for the remainder of the week.
Wilson said that when there is an active shooting, everyone at the police department goes, even from neighboring law enforcement offices.
“Everybody [all law enforcement] goes and responds if there is a shooting. We’ll [Raymore Police Department] be requesting other entities,” Wilson said, “Peculiar will be listening to our channel, so they would respond when we do. We don’t wait for the tactical team to go, but we do have them. If need be, Highway patrol is monitoring our channel as well, and we can get back up even from Harrisonville, Grandview, Belton, and other stations around the area. Depending on the weather, we [the Raymore Police Department] could arrive at Eagle Glen or other schools in the Ray-Pec district within five minutes.”
Landsberry, the popular Sparks Middle School teacher who lost his life, is being dubbed as a hero nationwide. A Facebook memorial page and another page “Rest Easy Mr. Landsberry” was made in his honor. Collectively, the sites had more than 10,000 likes by Oct. 22.
Although there are never fool-proof responses to shooters, law enforcement and schools make sure to have policies and plans in place for school shooters. At the Sparks Middle School, all kids that were not cornered by Reyes were ushered inside by teachers quickly enough to avoid continued contact with the shooter. Not only that, but law enforcement arrived approximately three minutes after the 911 call was sent in.