Principal Shot, Killed In Wis. School

15-Year-Old Former Student In Custody; Students Unharmed

(CBS/AP)  A teenager brought two guns to his rural school and shot the principal to death Friday after a struggle with adults and other students, authorities said.

The 15-year-old was taken into custody and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, the district attorney said. No one else was hurt.

The suspect was subdued before they arrived, according to Sauk County authorities, CBS affiliate WISC-TV in Madison, reports.

It was not clear why the student opened fire or if Weston Schools Principal John Klang was the intended target, Sheriff Randy Stammen said.

Witnesses said the student walked in with a shotgun before classes began. A custodian, teachers and students wrestled with him, but he broke through, took out a handgun and shot Klang three times, Stammen said.

The custodian said the teen was a special-education student who told him he was there to kill someone, but did not say who.

"He was calm, but he was on a mission," said Dave Thompson, 43, who also has two children at the school.

Sophomore Shelly Rupp, 16, described the boy as a freshman with few friends and said he was "just weird in the head."

"He always used to kid around about bringing things to school and hurting kids," she said at a gas station nearby where students and townspeople gathered.

Thompson said the student first pointed a shotgun in a teacher's face. Thompson grabbed away the gun, but the student then appeared to be reaching for another gun, so Thompson and the teacher took cover. Thompson then ran into a kitchen to call 911.

Junior Timmy Donovan said the student "pulled a .22 pistol out of his pants, and then started shooting the principal. And at that point, I guess the principal ran and tackled him to the ground."

Klang, 49, was shot in the head, chest and leg, authorities said. He died hours later at a hospital in Madison.

Sauk County authorities said they are not searching for any other suspects, WISC-TV reports.

The student, identified as Eric Hainstock, could get life in prison if convicted, District Attorney Patricia Barrett said. Wisconsin does not have the death penalty.

Children from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade attend the small school near Cazenovia, a community of about 300 people about 60 miles northwest of Madison.

The shooting took place two days after a gunman took six students hostage in a Colorado high school and killed one of them before committing suicide.

Laurie Rhea, 42, said the principal spent last weekend at the gas station washing cars for a homecoming fundraiser.

"All the kids just loved him," she said.

The shooting happened as the school was preparing for homecoming weekend. The homecoming parade, football game and dance were canceled or postponed.

[ellygumera]

Why? What is wrong with our school system? What is wrong with our students, former students and public in general?

I think there is only one answer . . . there is a big hole for "evil" to set in people's hearts! God and the Christian spirit of doing "good to others is not there anymore". It is all about being popular, exercising revenge for past deeds, hurting the national sentiment and feelings of Americans! Being anti-law abiding citizen.

No matter how secure we want our schools to be, if we do not instill in our children's hearts the love and understanding of God...hold tight, we have not seen nothing yet.

Let us consider this us a wake up call for our School Board Administrators to consider incorporating the subject of "religion" as optional class in the school's curriculum. We need to find time to find God, otherwise it could get worse!

[calmly-2009]

I don't understand why we can't present and discuss the concept of religion in our schools without being accused of sponsoring it. We can even discuss atheism.

[vipaka]

A recent news survey said that around 77% of Americans believe in God. Saying you believe in God is one thing, but living God is quite another thing. You have to stop at God's stop sign and look both ways before you cross. Do we really love each other? Or do we love hating each other? Maybe we should spend less time making money and buying material gifts for our children, and spend more time giving heart gifts to our children. That way we get to experience the richness of feeling and the inner beauty of forever Sunday Skies.

[rcsimpson]

When they post big signs out front stating that it's a "Gun/Drug Free" zone, they are inviting just this kind of activity. Criminals and nut jobs don't care about signs, they view this as an open door to a candy store.

Somebody in there should be armed. A guard, the principal, random teachers? Not sure what the answer is, but you can't expect bad people to just go away.

[halbert70]

God has nothing to do with it. Priests have God in their world everyday, but it doesn't stop them from fondling children. Wheres the God argument there?

What about a parent being a parent and keeping guns out of reach from their kids? Or, maybe trying to talk to their kids? Or, seek help for their kids if needed? I would have to say lack of parenting is a major issue.

[edjohn66]

Calmly,

We CAN present and discuss religion in our schools. I taught world history and we discussed the world's different faiths every year.

The proplem is when it is no longer a discussion and instead becomes a practice. When a teacher or administrator practices religion during school hours on school property, it has a tendency to coerce students into following the same behavior. That equates to government sponsorship of religion and is a violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.

When people talk about having God in schools, they are talking about practicing religion, not discussing it or learning about it.

[vipaka]

cbsrob50, Priests are not God. That's your God argument.

[pakaal]

I love religion as much as the next guy, but if you believe a kid suffering from OCD, Bipolar problems or whatever form of mental illness he had that caused this, is any less likely to go shoot someone because someone told them about Jesus, you don't really understand the symptoms being exhibited here. This is a gun control issue and mental disease problem, not a lack of God problem. How you folks make the jump from a story about a sociopath shooting an authority figure into a plea for Christianity in schools (and please be honest here, when you say "God" and "religion" you're not talking about a universal figure, you're talking about YOUR specific God, leaving the rest of us disenfranchised) is quite astonishing. Your God tells you to pray to your God in secret (Matthew 6:5-15), and here you are suggesting we need to force our children to pray to God in a public school? Let's keep in mind that we're supposed to render unto Caesar what is Caesars, and not confuse the issue with what we're supposed to render unto God (Matthew 22). OK?

[halbert70]

I thought these comments were regarding the school shooting, not religion.

[terribayless-2009]

Some were commenting on what others wrote - just like you.

[vipaka]

What did these students do when this killer walked into their schools? They prayed and the nation prayed right along with them. We pray at all tragedies in our lives because we're scared and God is our hope. Should these students be punished for praying for their beloved classmates on school ground? Some will probably say yes. There is only one universal God in this world, and he has many names, but is still the same to all. We've already gone through the drama of taking religion out of schools. But we can still live our lives central to the concept of right and wrong and work together to beautify and improve what is wrong.

[peacefulang1]

Although the 2 incidents (the shooting and the auto accident) are termed as unrelated, I wonder how closely related they actually might be. Particularly it being in such a small community and the students being so close in age.

[cantshutup]

vipaka

you described what we already know in a way that's not completely accurate...are you trying to say the entire nation is just like you? do you think you have some connection to "god" more so than the rest of us? what a strange thing to say, to claim you know what a nation of 300,000,000 people did...
what happened when this moron walked into the school is that they had an alert, smart, and brave janitor immediately attempt to disarm the would be killer and then a principal who put his life on the line to save his students...what the students did i'm sure, was to run like hell and i'm sure some of them did pray, (my arguement with you is that you assume we all pray which is considered a religious act, but you must realize not everyone has the same religious customs...to some they might consider it as channeling psychic energy or whatever...) ...all schools practice for bus evacuations and lock downs, so our kids know what to do...unfortunately they are so accustomed to violence (thank you hollywood, white house scum and terrorists),i don't see how we can ever feel completely safe...don't get me wrong, once again i'm shocked that something like this has has actually happened AGAIN and i'm so relieved no children were physically hurt...i'm sorry the principal is hurt but heroes sometimes are injured putting their lives on the line for others...another thing to be happy about is that the little terrorist is alive and we can punish him...harshly i hope...

[vipaka]

I'm basing my thoughts on a news survey recently taken by ABC, I believe, which polled 77% of Americans as having some sort of religion. I have heard children say all over the news this week that they were praying and adults, too. Might I ask you to whom do you channel your energy to? I channel energy, too, and it's always to the Higher Power.

[siddin-2009]

Maybe people shouldn't be *** to kids, ever think about that?

[jettskiman]

This is another perfect example of why some staff at schools, especially principal's should be trained to carry a concealed handgun. He may still be living tonight if he had been.

[sassygirl89]

You know whats sad here.. everyone has the answers... its because they took religion out of the school, its because the parents don't know how to raise children anymore.. etc... whatever your comment or answer may be we need to be made more aware of the problems that we face each day. Instead of bible thumping this tragedy how about we find out from our own situations what is going on in our kids minds to make them think that this is the only answer to their problems. Is it because the news media blasts these horrible crimes across the tv so our young ones can see this? I went to this school and graduated in 89... I never ever imagined something like this to happen in such a small community. Is there anywhere out there that is safe now adays for our children? Instead of pointing fingers at each other, how about we work together to ensure our kids safety and well being so nothing like this ever happens again!! Why dont we take this horrible tragedy of Principal Klang's death and use it as a eye opener and not leave any one child left behind!! He not only gave his heart and soul to help these kids but he gave his life!! Now thats a true Hero.

[rebel1951]

Here we go again. It seemed like the school shootings had died down and now their back at it. Does anyone have an answer for this problem? I'm a retired school teacher myself and thank God I never had to face a peoblem like this. My solution with problem kids was the most simple approach in the world! SIT DOWN AND TALK TO THE KIDS! Most of the time I found that that is all an angry student needed. Maybe more teacher and PARENTS should try talking. Like I said, it worked for me for seventeen years in an inner city voc-tech high school with plenty of problems.

[rebel1951]

This is to Jettskiman. Principals or even teachers carrying concealed guns is NOT the answer. The kids bring the guns to school out of anger. What happens when the principal or the teacher becomes angry? Most teachers and principals would do almost anything to talk a student down before carrying an gun. And one other thing. I am a Viet Nam combat verteran who knows how to use a guns and how to react when I hear gunfire. I would never want it on my mind that I reacted to gunfire by a student with more gunfire. Please try to think of a situation like that.

[cantshutup]

vikpada...it's none of your business who i "channel energy" too if i would even bother to do that...i don't know if the abc poll is accurate in that 77% of Americans are religious, i just don't think you should be speaking for the other 33%...think you can wrap your little brain around that???

there are plenty of parents who are capable of raising their children with a strong sense of right and wrong without bringing some pie in the sky concept of "god" into it...

[cantshutup]

sorry, intended for vipaka

[vipaka]

The answer might be break the cycle of neurosis in this country, so people don't have to go through these shocking tragedies. Too many stones incoming for some. Too many eleventy zillion hits! So many people carrying the scars of everyone else's pleasure and fun, their cheap thrills, their own careless disregard for others, and the scars of alcoholism and drug addiction. This equals unresolved issues and anger. And storing up storms. There's something inside of me that can't be denied. The halo comes off and the rage storms in. Many times, innocents are just in the way and in the sweep of these storms. And when we know they have a problem do we deal with it or just sweep it under the carpet or jump on the bandwagon and label them as "geeks", "freaks", or "mentally ill"? Now, this is my take on the situation, and I might be wrong, but I truly do care about others.

[jettskiman]

This is back at Rebel1951. I would hope that when the principal or another teacher becomes angry that he or she wouldn%u2019t pull out his or her gun and start shooting up the place. Come on, I%u2019m sure there's plenty of cops out there that get pretty angry at times and they don't just take out the 9mm and start shooting up a room full of people. I'd like to take a survey of teachers that were at Columbine that day and ask them how many wished they had been trained and were carrying that day. There is times when "talking a student down" is not an option. It seems in this case the janitor wrestled the shotgun away from him and was probably talking to him the whole time. If these kids have planned these things out and are hell bent on going to school to kill, they are obviously to far gone to talk down. I'm not saying it%u2019s the perfect answer but it may save lives in some instances. Kids need to know that if you bring a gun to school in this country that there will be a teacher waiting that will shoot back long before the cops arrive. We parents shouldnt have to put up with this senseless BS anymore.

[ghost9111]

Let me Wake you all up! Today we are so busy working that our children are going down the tube. In most family's two people work now, there's no one watching the kids, The kids have no one to vent to except there friends, if they listen. People have changed, no one cares about there fellow man or the person that lives next door. Everyone is out for themselves, me, me, me. If I don't get it, I will take it, If you don't give it to me I kill you. A lot of people today our @ the ends of there ropes. Layoffs, no jobs, pensions lost, savings gone,war. Were all getting sick, mentally. The american dream is a joke to most americans. People use people now anyway anytime to stay on top. Users use people for there own gain.They step on people and don't think twice. There be more shootings and death it's just getting started. Were all sick, anyone have cure!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[parents7]

When are we going to wake up and hear the children are crying for help. They are being pushed over the edge trapped between the rock and the hard place. Uncaring, neglectful and mentally abusive teachers and principals. Children have absolutely no rights in schools and are at the absolutely mercy of any teacher or principal right, wrong, or indifferent.

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not advocating for shooting anyone, but it time the general public wake up THESE KIDS ARE BEING PUSHED OVER THE EDGE AND NOBODY IS HEARING THEIR CRIES FOR HELP.

[loudpipes3]

WHAT HAS HAPPENED! -----When I was in school, nobody EVER thought about breaking out a window, or being destructive to school property, ---much less---shooting the Principal!!! All I have heard on the news in the past; --Colombine, and all the other things, is unbelieveable! ---All this is crazy! ---I have views on all this, but the word space here wont allow me to talk about it at length. - All I can say is: ---kids are not the way they used to be in my day, when I was a kid; parents are not either; ---life, and the availibility of information on the net, and other sources, is so "available" today, unlike in my day, + peer pressure on kids today, and all other sources, has changed the world today, and our kids, and their parents. I am 58; ---born in 1948, so you can see why I think all this is strange! ---I was brought up with old values, and with the "Old School" thinking! ------Which should work today, but aparently dont.

[sassygirl89]

You have got to be kidding... now its the teachers and princpals fault... just like I said everyone has the answers... lets be real here for just a second. Just like loudpipes3 said..kids have changed, the world has changed. What ever happened to respecting your elders?!?! What are we as americans doing so wrong that we cant control this situation with our children? Let me fill you in on a situation in my own area. A 1st grader in a local school went back to his desk and grabbed a pair of scissors, went up to another child and pulled on his shirt and with a stabbing motion thrust the pair of scissors into the boys shirt causing 2 cut holes. This boy did try it again but the other boy was able to pull away from him in time. I dont live in a populated city, very quiet area of wisconsin, and school officials wont do anything to this child because he is a special needs child and is protected by the government because they receive extra money to educate and help these children. Thats great that the government gives schools extra money, but where does it go from there. President Bush has cut the money to shcools so drastically that money doesnt get spent where it should...

How do we protect our own children? Does this happen in other countries? Maybe it does and we just dont hear about them.. or maybe they know something we dont.

[whs08]

I am Nikki a junior that goes to weston

Weston was sposed to be a safe school, small town, no one ever thought Eric would snap. Mr. Klang was the best principal anyone could wish for, he died protecting us students, and we are forever greatful.

[nuncanein]

I also was brought up in the "old school" tradition -- am also 58, but both my parents worked. And I have to say, I never shot anybody, threatened anybody or anything else of the kind. My parents had given all the neighbors their work numbers -- and oh, boy, if you got into trouble -- my parents knew before we got back to the house! And as my father would say "we got the Star Spangled Banner played on our bottoms" with his belt when he arrived home! Its a matter of the parents involvement in the kids lives -- I raised three children -- single parent -- working mother and none of my children ever got into trouble! But I made sure I kept on top of their lives, too. And I note with pride, my grandchildren are growing up with their parents just as involved!