The death toll in a shooting at Chardon High School in Ohio rose to three Tuesday afternoon as hospital officials confirmed the death of Demetrius Hewlin. Hewlin was airlifted to MetroHealth Medical Center Monday morning along with the two other deceased students, 17-year-old Russell King Jr. and 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor. Parmertor died Monday and doctors declared King brain dead Tuesday morning.
Hewlin’s family released a statement Tuesday through the hospital. "We are very saddened by the loss of our son and others in our Chardon community. 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,” the family said.
Two other students – a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl - are being treated for wounds at at Hillcrest Hospital. A hospital spokesperson said the boy is in serious condition and the girl is in stable condition.
The teen responsible for the shooting has been identified by local media as T.J. Lane, a student at Lake Academy in Willoughby. He was at Chardon High School waiting for a bus to the academy, which teaches at-risk students, when he pulled out a handgun and opened fire in the cafeteria shortly after 7:30 a.m. A lawyer for the teen’s family told WKYC news T.J. was a “good kid” with “pretty impressive” grades.
“He's been doubling up on his classes with the intent of graduating this May. He pretty much sticks to himself but does have some friends and has never been in trouble over anything that we know about," Bob Farinacci told WKYC.
"The family wanted me to convey to the citizens of Geauga County and Northeastern Ohio that the family is devastated by this most recent event," Farinacci said."This is something that could never have been predicted. T.J.'s family has asked for some privacy while they try to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred and while they mourn this terrible loss for their community."
The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
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