Fatal Shooting High School in Colorado

[Alibaldi]

OMG - far too close to home. Memories of Dunblane and Columbine and Beslan came flashing back to me this evening. My heart and prayers go out to the Colorado Family who lost a daughter today. When are we ever going to have better security in schools worldwide. This was a small local high school in a rural community - peaceful until today.

Terrible ....

Seems to happen too often in the US doesn't it?

It's even worse when you find yourself suddenly living about 30 miles from. I'm sat here in tears having watched the news conference hugging my ds1. The Sherrif who ordered in the SWAT teams even had a child in the school and personally knows the girl who the gunman shot in the head. How sick are some people in this world.

Terrible news. Why does this keep happening? School security in the US is appalling (well, in the 2 states I have lived in). In many schools, there are no security fences, just low ones to keep kids from running into the street. So many of our local schools (mainly elementary school) have no gate and have short cuts that run through the playground. It is quite common to see people walking with their shopping etc through a playground full of kids. They often play in public play grounds & climbing frames too and the kids are never supervised properly. It is very scary and I often remember Dunblane & Columbine as I see the kids so vulnerable. I know I do not want my DS to attend my local schools because of this (and many other issues I have with public education in the US).

Luckily the playground area of my boys pre-school is secure - needs to be because of wildlife issues (cougars/bears). I still feel though that the front door should have more security - locked/bell entrance. Some areas have id card swipe entrance and I feel that this should be more widespread. Will be pushing for that for sure. As I plan on staying here in Colorado expect to here more on the subject from me. mamama whereabouts are you?

How awful Feel for the family mourning the loss of their daughter

I'm glad your kids' pre-school playground is safe. I have no idea why they don't have locks etc on the doors. I worked at a school in CT and we used to take the kids over the road to a public park to do PE and play on the climbing frame. The park was a known drug-dealing hotspot and was often full of wierd people who would accost the kids or be over-friendly. It was very disconcerting and this was private school - parents paid thousands of dollars each semester because it was better and safer than the public schools. I'm now in Chicago.

That BASTARD!

I'm so angry and upset.

I know Bailey well, used to stop there all the time on the way to go climbing.

Any idea what the motive was?

I honestly wanted to throw up when I heard that girl wasn't able to be saved.

My heart just breaks for that family.

Hi Expat, thought you'd know Bailey. I do too, even looked at a house there. They know who he was now and apparently he was from that area - the worst news now is that the other female hostages were sexually assualted. FGS he must have been one sick bastard. How will those girls get over that one. No motive as yet - but haven't read the newspaper yet today. I'm still feeling very emotional about this one must admit. So will most of Colorado be this morning.