On Tuesday morning June 10, 2014, Jared Michael Padgett, a 15- year-old freshman opened fire at Reynold’s High School injuring one and killing another. Padgett killed one of his freshman peers, 14-year-old Emilio Hoffman and injured his teacher Todd Respler. Respler was grazed by one of the bullets fired by Padgett but still managed to sound the active shooter alarm and warn other students to take cover.
After injuring his teacher and killing his classmate, Padgett died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound from the AR-15 rifle that he carried to school in his guitar case. Police authorities say that Padgett managed to defeat the security system that held guns in his home to take them to school. Investigators recovered nine loaded magazines that could hold several rounds of ammunition, a semi-automatic handgun that was not used, and a large knife. Investigators also reported that Padgett was wearing a non-ballistic vest used to carry ammunition and other weapons and a camouflage sports helmet.
Students and classmates from Reynold’s High School considered Jared Padgett to be quiet and militant due to his fascination with guns and order. Padgett was a member of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps and participated in it with Agustin Guzman, a 16-year-old student at Reynolds. “He was one of those organized people who liked order, liked everything to be really perfect”, says Guzman.
A candlelight vigil has been held for the victim Emilio Hoffman and a statement has been released by his mother Emily Hoffman.
“To those friends we say — be happy like Emilio. Smile like him. Laugh like him. To the parents out there — love your kids. Hug your kids every day. And live with no regrets. I don’t have any regrets with Emilio. None, and he knew that.”
