Parents May Face Charges in Nevada School Shooting

Police trying to figure out how boy got gun from home
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 22, 2013 4:52 PM CDT
Parents May Face Charges in Nevada School Shooting
A tearful Michelle Hernandez, left, is led away following a shooting at Sparks Middle School in Sparks, Nev.   (AP Photo/The Reno Gazette-Journal, Marilyn Newton)

The 12-year-old student who opened fire on a Nevada middle school campus yesterday, wounding two students and killing a teacher, got the weapon from his home, authorities said. Washoe County School District police said they are still working to determine how the boy obtained the 9mm semi-automatic Ruger handgun used in the morning spree at Sparks Middle School. The boy's parents are cooperating with authorities and could face charges in the case, police said. Authorities say they're withholding the seventh-grader's name out of respect for his family. They still haven't discussed a motive.

At a news conference today, law enforcement and school officials again lauded the actions of 45-year-old math teacher and former Marine Michael Landsberry, who tried to stop the rampage before he was killed. The violence started before the first bell of the day rang, as students filed off buses and gathered for class. The boy opened fire outside a school building, hitting one 12-year-old student in the shoulder. He then headed toward a basketball court, where he encountered Landsberry. The teacher walked toward the student waving his arms, but the boy shot him in the chest. Police say that gave other kids time to run. "He truly is a hero," said the school superintendent. (More school shooting stories.)

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