Two teens found dead from gunshot wounds

CANTON — Police investigating the deaths of two teenagers Friday evening are trying to determine whether the incident is the result of a double suicide or a murdersuicide, Jackson Township Police Chief Mark Brink said.

Canal Fulton and Lawrence Township police were called to check on the welfare of a 16-year-old Lawrence Township girl and a 17-yearold Canal Fulton boy. A Canal Fulton police officer found them shot just before 8:30 p.m. Friday in a wooded area in Jackson Township. The townships and Canal Fulton are in Stark County, about two hours from the Columbus area.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy was taken to an area hospital, where he died about 2.a.m. Saturday. Their names haven’t been released.

A news release from Northwest Local schools said both teens attended Northwest High School. Principal Larry Tausch said the girl was a sophomore and the boy was a junior there.

Both had suffered gunshot wounds to their heads, Brink said.

“Officers located a handgun at the scene, and their deaths are being investigated as a possible double suicide or a homicide-suicide,” the chief said.

He declined to release further details.

Mike Shreffler, superintendent of Northwest Local Schools, released a statement Saturday morning saying that counselors would be at the school both Saturday and Monday to provide support to staff and students.

“The Northwest Local School District is heartbroken to report the loss of two of our high school students. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families during this difficult time,” he said.

Tausch said he saw the two teens at school on Friday.

“I spoke with them often,” he said. “They were honest, genuine kids.”

Tausch said he has known the girl since he became principal at the middle school. He described her as “a quiet girl who kept to herself.”

When he saw the teens on Friday, “They were shoulder-to-shoulder, walking close to one another.” He believed they were dating.

The high school enrolls about 650, and the district totals about 2,000 students, Shreffler said.

“We are so fortunate to live in Stark County and have the support that we have,” Shreffler said, noting that the Stark County Educational Service Center, mental health board and Crisis Center were quick to assist after learning of the incident.