Sparks Middle School shooting

The Sparks Middle School shooting occurred in Sparks, Nevada, on October 21, 2013. Two people, including the perpetrator, were killed, and two others were injured. Sparks Middle School is part of the Washoe County School District.[2]

Sparks Middle School shooting
LocationSparks Middle School, Sparks, Nevada
Coordinates39°33′6″N 119°46′6″W
DateOctober 21, 2013 (2013-10-21)
Attack type
School shooting, murder–suicide
WeaponsRuger SR9C 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun[1]
Deaths2 (including the perpetrator)
Injured2
PerpetratorJose Reyes
Defender1
MotiveBullying and mental illness

Shooting

On October 21, 2013, Jose Reyes, a 12-year-old student in seventh grade, opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun at the basketball courts of Sparks Middle School. He injured a 12-year-old student, KJ Kersey, in the shoulder. Michael Landsberry, a 45-year old math teacher who was trying to intervene with Reyes, was shot and killed in the playground. Reyes then shot and wounded a 12-year-old student, Mason Davis, who tried to come to Landsberry's assistance. Davis suffered an injury to his abdomen. Reyes then committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. The shooting happened before classes, and the school was evacuated and was closed for the week.[3][4][5][6] Details of the shooting emerged in the report issued the following spring.[7]

Perpetrator

Jose Horacio Reyes (July 2, 2001 – October 21, 2013), was born in Reno, Nevada, to parents from Mexico. He had two younger sisters, and grew up partially in Arizona where his father found a construction job, but later moved with his family back to Nevada. Reyes' parents owned a restaurant in Sparks. In early 2012, Reyes' father was charged with and plead guilty to misdemeanor child abuse for an incident involving his son. Reyes left two suicide notes claiming he was bullied, and had taken the antidepressant Prozac and an antipsychotic drug.[8]

Aftermath

The incident has been a continuing subject of public concern and discussion.[9][10][11] In November 2015, Hillary Clinton discussed the shooting at Sparks during her campaign for the presidency, as part of her campaign for gun control.[12]

References
  1. Staff reports (13 May 2014). "Police: Sparks Middle School shooter said he was teased". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  2. https://www.washoeschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=2196&ViewID=82ad4dc1-ff8e-4c91-9428-7a2a172acda0&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=2058&PageID=287
  3. "Nevada school shooting: Teacher killed, two students wounded". CNN. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  4. "Day 1 updates from the Sparks Middle School shooting". RGJ.com. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  5. "Two Dead and Two Injured in Shooting at Sparks Middle School". Washoe County School District. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  6. "Nevada school shooting: Teacher killed, two students wounded". CNN. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  7. McAndrew, Siobhan (May 14, 2014). "Chilling details, no motive in Nev. school shooting". USA Today. Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  8. "Sparks school shooting". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  9. Harris, Paul (December 2, 2015). "Police Warn Public To Be Prepared During Active Shooter Situations". ABC News. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  10. "Community marks 2 years since deadly Sparks Middle School shooting". News 4. October 21, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  11. "Wife of Teacher Slain in Sparks School Shooting Receives Settlement". CBS News. AP. August 12, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  12. Ritchey, Julie (November 23, 2015). "Clinton Cites Sparks Middle Shooting In Push For Gun Control". KUNR. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
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