One Community, One Heart

Photo courtesy of Thomas Ondrey and The Plain Dealer.

Tragedy struck Chardon high school at 7:30 AM on Monday, February 27th. Identified suspect T.J Lane pulled out a .22-caliber hand gun and began shooting at one cafeteria table. Lane walked around his table and stood behind students identified as Russell King, Demetrius Hewlin,and Nick Walczak.

Videos show Lane raising his gun and shooting. Russell was shot in the back and Demetrius was shot in the back of the head. Nick, who was shot several times, is in stable condition at Hillcrest Hospital. Lane ran out the door and at some point, not seen by the source that watched the video, Daniel Parmertor, 16, was shot. He died at MetroHealth. Who knew that in an instant every one’s life could change forever.

The Chardon community is coming together by putting together prayer services and vigils. As you can imagine, families are going through a tough time and are trying to find some way to cope with this unexpected tragedy. Family members of Daniel Parmertor released this statement Monday afternoon:

"We are shocked by this senseless tragedy. Danny was a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him. The family is torn by this loss. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

Vigils continue to offer prayers and comfort after such a heartbreaking day at a local high school. Classes for the whole Chardon school district are cancelled for Tuesday, February 27th.

“I think the first day is going to be hard to go back in that classroom knowing that he was dragged in there and knowing that he got hurt today,” student Zach Weiland. “Just knowing how much everybody cares helps a lot.”

Area clergy will be having a candlelight vigil on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church at 401 North St. in Chardon.

To hear the story from the student’s perspective read more here.