Kentucky shooting suspect held on murder
BENTON (AP) — The 15-year-old boy accused of gunning down classmates at a western Kentucky high school was ordered held on murder and assault charges as the shaken community where it happened strained to cope with the devastation.
On Thursday, a juvenile court judge found probable cause to keep detaining the teenager as authorities gather evidence to support trying him as an adult for the attack at Marshall County High School, Assistant Marshall County Attorney Jason Darnall said.
Authorities, meanwhile, are seeking to gather evidence for a grand jury, hoping to discover why a handgun was turned on a crowd of classmates, all 14 to 18, as they waited for the morning bell on Tuesday.
Although the legal process has begun for the suspect, others in the small rural community sought to overcome the shock of Tuesday’s shooting that left two people dead and 18 injured with a show of solidarity.
Hundreds gathered amid flickering candles after nightfall Thursday to honor the victims as many wept.
Nearly 300 people, many with faces visibly etched with pain, thronged a park as firefighters raised a large American flag in the crisp night air. Many teens, cupping candles in their palms, hugged and looked on somberly.
One girl’s candle shook in her hands as she sobbed, and others cried when another girl sang “Amazing Grace.”
“It always happens somewhere else, you know, but this week it was our community,” said Misti Drew, an organizer of the vigil.
With faces aglow from the candles, participants lofted banners and some wore Tshirts embossed with the words, “Marshall Strong.”
Earlier, Vicki Jo Reed painted a “Marshall Strong” sign on a storefront, and reflected on her grandson’s close call.