Honor Student Turned Gunman
Fort Gibson Middle School students arrived Tuesday morning at a campus still cordoned off with crime scene tape and surrounded by police, reports CBS News Correspondent Maureen Maher.
But there were few answers for the dozens of students who witnessed Monday's barrage of gunfire in what's being called the state's worst day of school violence. In total, five students were wounded. Three remained hospitalized Tuesday, though none of their injuries was considered life threatening.
Authorities say the alleged shooter, identified as 13-year-old Seth Trickey, fired off at least 15 rounds from a 9mm handgun and seemed prepared to inflict more pain. People here still want to know why.
Fellow students said the teen suspect didn't say anything when classmates greeted him before school Monday. The smart and popular seventh-grader just went under a tree, pulled out a handgun and began firing, they said. One student said the boy began yelling "I'm crazy, I'm crazy" as he was shooting.
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The suspect gave no warnings, leaving friends and this rural community baffled as to what could have motivated the churchgoer and honor-roll student to shoot his schoolmates.
"He was always nice to everybody. He was real popular, you would never have known him to do anything like this," said Deania Pruitt, an eighth-grade cheerleader.
At a Tuesday morning news conference, police Chief Richard Slader said the weapon allegedly used in the shooting belonged to the suspect's father. Slader said the gun was purchased in 1993 at a Wal-Mart at an undisclosed location.
Besides the emotional impact of the day, kids returning to class also faced metal detectors in hopes of preventing another senseless shooting, reports CBS News Correspondent Teresa Estacio.
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| Oklahoma school shooting suspect Seth Tricky. |
After a moment of silence, Principal Greg Phares listed the first names of the injured students and then said, "Let's don't forget Seth."
Prosecutors will not say whether they will try to charge the teen as an adult. They also would not comment if any action would be taken against the parents.
President Clinton told reporters in Washington that investigators from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were on the scene in Fort Gibson, a mostly blue-collar town of about 3,500 that is 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
"Our prayers are with each of the children and their families," Mr. Clinton said.
Fort Gibson is a town of about 3,500 about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.