One of the shootings was within maybe 1/8 mile of my house. My kids walk that all the time. This insanity must stop.

Comment by dcg — February 15, 2008 @ 5:19 pm

This really breaks my heart. As a parent, it makes me almost afraid to send my teenage daughters to school for fear that they won’t make it home due to kids and guns.
My condolences go out to the parents of these children and I pray that Metro catches these terrorists and get them off the streets.

Comment by April — February 15, 2008 @ 5:24 pm

This is horrible. Unexplainable….

Comment by Jason Hennessey — February 15, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

When is the violence going to stop?

It is time that the community come together to end the violence.

No neighborhood is safe in this city.

Any ideas on how to put an end to the senseless shootings?

Comment by Susan — February 15, 2008 @ 5:35 pm

I can’t believe it. What’s this world coming to? It seems like the whole country’s gone mad. My daughter was picking up my son from Palo and must have just missed the incident by about two minutes. It’s so frightening to think of what can happen being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This country’s truly gone crazy.

Comment by Debra — February 15, 2008 @ 6:01 pm

I was driving a friend home from school (Palo) and saw nothing, then i drove right back up alta less then 5 minuets later and saw someone motionless on the floor with several cars pulled over helping the student. As a current student of Palo, this is truly outrageous.

Comment by Annonymous — February 15, 2008 @ 6:11 pm

Growing up in southcentral LA even I have to say this has gone much much too far.These little cowards are afraid to go head to head to prove their manhood. Got a beef settle it in the gym with the gloves on, take your butt kicking and let it go until another time there is no explanation for these senseless actions. I for one think parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children (under 17 yrs.) WE MUST OUTLAW GUNS…… There seems to be no other way. or… Get caught with a gun, no license, 2-5 years automatically 2nd offense 7 years.For Parents, 90 days- 2 years probation, 2nd offense 6 months 5 years probabtion. Let’s see whether that gets their attention or not

Comment by James Allen — February 15, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

Unbelievable… no regard for human life. How about instead our govt. spending $64 million on the new 2900 acre shooting range going in NW Vegas, we put that money into our schools, and providing safety for our children.

What do you say Sen. Reid?

Comment by Steve Jonas — February 15, 2008 @ 7:09 pm

This is frightning and real and it proves that Metro does not have a strong presence in our community. There have been a lot of school shootings in the valley lately and now one in our Summerlin Community. The community of Summerlin must come together to make a strong stance with Metro to have them protect our children and the safety of our community.

Comment by Linda — February 15, 2008 @ 7:12 pm

the kid’s name was Chris Privett

Comment by jsdf sdlj — February 15, 2008 @ 7:27 pm

I have 2 students at Rgech Middle School, just a building away from Palo Verde…The school was put under lockdown (the children were told it was a routine drill) for all of 10 minutes…then these children we released to go home. Not even warned of the danger that might await them as they walked home.

The shooter has yet not been found.
WHY were these middle schoolers allowed to leave the safety of their school to walk home less than an hour after a child was shot and killed? Why weren’t they warned?

I am so angry and baffled at this. What were they thinking???

Comment by Amanda — February 15, 2008 @ 7:43 pm

I think we all as a community and parents need to accept and demand our school district and local government officials to implement a prevention and awareness program that talks to young people from young people about choices and consequences, alcohol and substance abuse,teen violence along with party crew and gang awareness.The program i am speaking of is called T.A.R.G.E.T and it stands for Teens At Risk Get Educated Today.This program was created by Anthony and Brandon Gallion formerly associated with the 311 boyz case.These 2 young men have been trying to stop teen violence and address teen addiction and peer pressure for the last year now.through there experiences and impact i think it would benefit this community 10 fold.I also think its time we stand up and support their efforts as a community. if you want to speak with them they answer this number (702)451-8336 for more information. they are true inspirations and are dedicated to helping stop the plague of violence in our communities

Comment by JOHN — February 15, 2008 @ 7:47 pm

There is no such thing as “minor tagging”. It is no joking matter and I am appalled by the ignorant comments of Jose Montoya of Metro.

The Tagging in Las Vegas is out of control and it is far more serious a matter than giving people paint to cover it up. Tagging is a sign we have troublemakers who do not respect property and today we are reminded they do not value human life either.

Based on the attitude of Metro regards tagging, this is barely the beginning of what will be much worse this summer. Expect to see routine shootings in the Resort Corridor as there is tagging all over the Strip now not being addressed.

Better wake-up Vegas or you are going to be living in a War Zone.

Comment by Stephen — February 15, 2008 @ 7:48 pm

I have seen there presentation along with my daughter and those young men are very passionate in what they are doing and really changed my daughter’s outlook on life. if you don’t believe me call them or set up a presentation with them.the are great assets to this community just give them a chance to stop this non sense.
i saw them for substance abuse and violence course

Comment by thomas — February 15, 2008 @ 7:49 pm

This young man senselessly killed at Palo is the son of a teacher from a local middle school. He is a coworker and a friend and I can not imagine how he is going to get through what now lies ahead of him. My heart breaks to think of saying goodbye to your child in the morning and then never seeing them again. My prayers are with you my friend and with your family. Your extended family at work will do whatever you need to get you through this tough time. May God shower you with comfort in your hour of need.

Comment by Debbie — February 15, 2008 @ 8:41 pm

A Call for Action.

I’m a parent of a student at Palo Verde. This is every parent’s worst nightmare. I know all our prayers go to the family.

If the police and the family agrees to it, I’ll be the first to donate $1,000.00 to a reward fund. I believe there must be another 99 parents who will make the same commitment.

If you are an attorney and wish to commit your time to organize this or you wish to commit $1,000 to bring this to justice, please e-mail me… Randy@GilligansHideAway.com

Thank You
Randy Genovese

Comment by Randy Genovese — February 15, 2008 @ 8:56 pm

Let’s all pledge to watch out for each others kids, when they’re walking home, whenever. Lets be there for each one of then, when they need to talk, afterschool.
Mari

Comment by Mari — February 15, 2008 @ 8:57 pm

My son walks that way home from school every day. Today he was home sick. There’s one way to fix these problems and that is to LOCK AWAY these habitual law-breakers. Our justice system doesn’t get it. I’m tired to hearing about rehabilitation. You commit a violent crime once . . . and you go to jail for a very long time. No parole. No second chances. Period. I guarantee that these thugs have a criminal rap sheet a mile long. I’m so pissed.

Comment by Curtis Parcell — February 15, 2008 @ 10:20 pm

As an Englishman living in Las Vegas, with a son in Palo Verde, I find todays incident both deplorable and quite shocking.
It beggars belief that I can drive around Summerlin for up to 5 days without seeing a police car; but head into downtown and the strip they are pulling people over every other intersection.
I really do believe that the US has to address gun control. But that is a trivial matter compared to the family of todays victim. My heart goes out to them.

Comment by Gaz — February 15, 2008 @ 10:37 pm

The kid from the palo shooting was one of my bestfriends. I’ve known for about eight years, he was my nextdoor neighbor. He was like family to me,I still can’t beleive he’s gone now. People die these days of the stupidest things. I really hope the victims get caught.

Comment by Kevin Alcalen — February 15, 2008 @ 10:40 pm

“i think through all of this stuff that is happening today in the world we need to be more aware. How are you going to know something is going to happen? your freaking walking home from scholl and you get shot. And all the people that shot must have some experience with guns, their was a group of kids and one kid got hit, one, what is this thats why people move to vegas or atleast summerlan you know it is a good place to be and also a safe place so what are we going to do now?”

Comment by chris kyllone/Danny Gootee — February 16, 2008 @ 12:06 am

Sadness, disbelief, and anger! I have an overwhelming feeling of sadness thinking of the complete disregard for the precious life of an innocent child and for the family left to deal with this difficult tragedy.

Disbelief… I still can not believe that this happened down the street from where I live. Is there any place that is safe?! Obviously, allowing your children to walk home from school anymore is an absolute risk!

Anger… complete cowards, not human, heartless! How can anyone with any hint of love, compassion, or sense committ such a senseless crime? These individuals are not human beings…

What happened to the CCSD policy of locking a school down until the threat has been removed? My child attends Linda Givens Elementry School right up the street and there was not even an announcement made!!! Sig Rogich was locked down for 10 minutes and then released the kids??!! These administrators need to be questioned and asked why they dropped the ball on protecting the welfare of the kids at the neighboring schools!

God Bless the family and the child! Your community supports you!

Comment by Jennelle — February 16, 2008 @ 12:12 am

I was driving on alta with my 11 month old in his car seat to pick up my daughter at palo.I never take that route ( I go up the Anasazi way) and I thought it strange that more than a handful of cars were parked to the right. Some adults were standing with shocked and disbelieved looks. The other adults were apparently giving hands on aid to the young boy I noticed laying on the sidewalk. My heart skipped beats. Not knowing it was a shooting, I still felt a sense of urgency and started to pray. There is no need for this violence. My daughter is confused and sad. I feel for the family and for all that witnessed this senseless violent tragedy. Rest in peace and may god be with you and your family.

Comment by maribelle — February 16, 2008 @ 12:15 am

My child also goes to PVHS and we were there driving by just minutes after this happened. People simply have no regard for human life anymore. Until that ethic returns to all of our lives, this ridiculous violence will continue. It makes me il that every day as I drop my kids off for school I have to worry.

Comment by lori — February 16, 2008 @ 12:35 am

O my god when is this unessacry stuff happen? I know the boy that was shot i friends with his older brother and him and played football with both of them. What can be worst then to burring ur childern unstead of them burring you. My heart goes out to his brother and the rest of the family.

Comment by Aaron Valdez — February 16, 2008 @ 12:56 am

My daughter was in classes with the victim at Palo since 4th grade. She and all her friends have nothing but good things to say about this poor boy. This was a great kid just walking home after school. My heart goes out to his parents and brother.
There is no punishment that is sufficient for the scum that did this.
Just another example of a good family with good parents losing the joy of their life to kids that have somehow been raised with no respect of life. Something needs to change in our society where kids can be raised this way.
The parents of these scumbags are as guilty as their kids.

Comment by C — February 16, 2008 @ 2:14 am

I am sitting here at work and still in shock at what transpired yesterday. May I first offer my heart felt condolences to the family of the young man who lost his life, I don’t have the words to express my sorrow. I have 4 children that attend Palo and I sat at home last night and watched as they were on their computers and cell phones talking with friends trying to piece together the madness that took place yesterday. One of my daughters went to the same physical therapist as the young man who was taken from us and she is having a very difficult time with this tragedy. I pray for the family and friends and although I have alot of anger for the people responsible for this cowardly and ignorant act I feel it is imperative that at this time we gather round and channel all of our energies on supporting the family who lost there boy.

Comment by Lee — February 16, 2008 @ 7:24 am

My 9th grade son also walks home this way everyday. This happenend within a block of my home. I have always felt very safe in Summerlin. That is why I chose to live here. My son was out sick yesterday or it very easily could have been him. I am so shocked and disturbed that this could happen here. I think I may seriously consider home schooling. My most heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of this young man. It is truly heartbreaking.

Comment by Lisa — February 16, 2008 @ 10:30 am

This Maddness has to stop. I have a 3 children, one being a HS student. She goes to DP and it is getting to the point that I feel sick everytime i drop her off in fear of something happening. What ever happened to schools being a “SAFE” place???

My heartfelt condolences to the family .

Comment by C — February 16, 2008 @ 10:31 am

Back when I was in high school, growing up as I did in New York, I used to be more for gun control. But as I got older I changed my views for both philosophical reasons and in light of a more mature understanding of reality.

But if I could say just one thing to people like calling for gun control on this comment list, I’d ask these people if, in the event that they were being fired on by a maniac, or by gang members, would they really want to be unarmed? Would they want to be the person who says that a victim in such a situation is not allowed to possess the means to defend himself? Philosophically, I think it’s pretty repugnant to say that law abiding citizens in such a situation should have no other recourse but to crouch down and wait to be killed. Think about the difference in how you’d feel in a situation where you’re being attacked by someone who is intending to kill you. The difference between just having to wait to be killed, to have no choice but to submit entirely to the type of person who would commit such a crime in the first place, and the difference to at least having a fighting chance for life! Personally, I’m going to buy firearms for my family now.

My condolences for the family. What an awful thing to happen in such a safe and peaceful neighborhood.

Comment by S — February 16, 2008 @ 11:10 am

My heart is breaking for all the families involved in this tragedy…Here we are again all asking why? and saying I never thought this would happen here in this area.WAKE UP people this is an issue of “violent teen culture” although we don’t have all the info on who did this shooting I will venture to guess it was another young person.I know first hand how youth violence can effect a family.I agree we need to get a handle on the access to weapons, but we have to start by RE-SENSITIZING our kids.Youth today see violence as a sport, for their entertainment but until it touches them directly it isn’t real. I read the other blog about the T.A.R.G.E.T. program.Its proactive things like that from young people that will help,kids listen to their peers,so if peer pressure causes bad choices then it can also effect good choices.

Teens need to break this chain of Teen violence….

Comment by TishG — February 16, 2008 @ 12:15 pm

I first learned of this incident thru a ‘breaking news’ email while sitting at my computer at work. I was stunned as my son also attends PVHS. My son had driven by and seen the young man on the ground with parents around him coming to his aid. All I could do was bow my head and pray.

I too must say that we need to re-sensitize our children from an early age how precious life is. And part of that involves a connection one’s self worth. In one’s darkest hours when perhaps no one else is around, God always will be there. God in our homes is where we need to start to recapture the beauty of our children again.

This is indeed a tragedy — for the family who lost their son and for the family who will loose their son to the justice system because of this brutal act.

My heart and prayers go out to the families of these teens as well as to the students and administrators of PVHS who lost one of their own.

Comment by fran — February 16, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

The gutless shooter should be identified, tried as an adult and sent away to prison for the rest of his no good life.

If The friends in the car don’t cooperate, they should be charged with accessories to the crime.

Throw away the key.

Comment by steveo — February 16, 2008 @ 5:38 pm

My daughter is a ninth grader at Palo and I cannot imagine the immense pain and grief the parents and family are experiencing. Back when we had prayer in schools teen violence didn’t involve guns and killing. We need to put prayer back in schools!

To the family, May God wrap his arms around you, comfort you and guide you and give you strength to get thru these the darkest days of your life.

Comment by Tanya — February 16, 2008 @ 7:10 pm

As a parent who has children attending Palo, and Sig Rogich, my deepest sympathy goes out to the family involved in this tragedy. Now that the police have arrested the alleged suspect, I hope the news media doesn’t stop asking tough questions and determine if the administration could have done something to prevent this.

I’d like to know more about where the firearm was obtained?
What’s the family situation?
What type of school record did the alleged suspect have. Did the school take appropriate action if there were disciplinary issues or was he just passed along through the system.
Was he zoned to even attend Palo?
Was the firearm on campus during the school day?
What will happen to the other Palo students in the vehicle assuming they aren’t arrested as well?

Come on media ask the tough questions and put pressure on the school administration to provide answers. Palo is extremely over-crowded and we’re just lucky something like this hasn’t happened before this incident. What are the lessons learned from this? Lets make sure we can do all we can to prevent this from happening again.

Comment by Wayne — February 16, 2008 @ 7:52 pm

My prayers and thoughts go out to the family of the young precious boy - my daughter is a Senior at Palo and we live close to where the incident happened. We travel Alta to get to Pavilion. I can’t imagine what his parents are going through. I pray for god to give them strength and please comfort them through this hard time.

Comment by Mara — February 16, 2008 @ 8:10 pm

I completely agree with Amanda. I am also a student at Palo Verde and I had absolutely no idea that anything had happened until I received text messages from friends.
I had been at school waiting for softball practice to begin from 1:25 until 3:00. I saw the helicopters and the police, but at no time was I told to go home, or asked to stay within the school building for safety. After school activities continued, and Rogich didn’t seem to get out late.
With those people on the loose and still possibly in the area the management of the situation was atrocious. What’s the point of practicing drills when in a real crisis they aren’t implemented? Our school is in mourning for one student, but with the lack of control of the situation we could just as likely be in mourning for five, or six, or seven.

Comment by Kellie Koester — February 16, 2008 @ 10:37 pm

Although I didn’t lose a child in a drive by, I have lost a child to a car accident. The pain that you feel every time someone else looses a child is a pain that unfortunately will never go away. This 9 grade boy has a name and a family and we all have to remember that nothing will ever bring him back nor make February 15th ever the same for his family again. The kids that go to that school are going to have a heavy week on their hands next week and parents have to be there to comfort them. Make sure that you let the people in your life know that you love them and never ever forget to say it. It will take time for the pain to somewhat stop, but it will never ever truly stop. I just hope that the kids that did this know that they have also ended their own life. They are now going to be locked up and behind bars and forever changed. It is all so unbelievable senseless. To the mother~find comfort in the fact that you are truly a mother of an angel and always have been, you just didn’t know it until now. To the father~be strong for your wife and she will be strong for you. To any siblings~never ever forget to talk about the fun stuff you all did together and the crazy made you pee your pants fun you had. We cannot protect our children from this messed up world we live in and never will be able too. But we can’t keep them in a bubble forever either. I hope that through this tragedy we can all work towards making what is around us better.

Comment by An Angels Mom — February 16, 2008 @ 11:42 pm

My heart aches for the victim and his family. A young life so senselessly taken, in front of his own school, amongst schoolmates. I am certain he will be remembered in everyone’s hearts. May justice prevail for him and his family. How do we prevent this from happening again? One life taken, is one life too many!!!!!!

Comment by D — February 16, 2008 @ 11:47 pm

There needs to be a mandatory sentence of 10 years for anyone caught carrying a gun that is not licensed to them. Anyone under 18 with a handgun should be gone for 10+. We do this and we will see a marked decrease in the number of weapons at school. If a kid gets caught with a gun now what happens? They get kicked out of school and they go to an opportunity school? What kind of threat is that? We cant/shouldnt take guns from law abiding citizens but we should come down hard, no excuses, for those that don’t have them legally.

Comment by C — February 17, 2008 @ 2:22 am

All I can say is “What a shame!” Our kids shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of inhumane situations. We send them to school, to learn and get an education, so they can have a good, fulfilling future. Yet, something like this happens and how do we explain this to them?

I do place fault in the parents of these kids who did this horrible, cowardly act. Yes, cowardly!!! What kind of monsters did you raise? I have three kids and one goes to Palo. I know what my kids do 99% of the time and what kind of friends they hang out with.

I also live very close to where this happened. I was within minutes of the shooting as I was going to pick up my son at Rogich Middle school. I saw all of the cops going by, with an undercover car coming close past me. I had no clue at the time, but I found out shortly what an inhumane act had been committed.

As parents and responsible people in Summerlin, we all need to get involved and do something about this. This can’t happen again. It is wrong that we sit back and watch. Then we wonder. We can’t leave it to the people in the government. Everyone is out for themselves. I’m disturbed and upset over this. I hope we can all unite and make more changes. Laws must get tougher, and kids who act in any violent ways or break school laws, must NOT be permitted back to our schools no matter what. There are kids that attend all of our local schools, who were kicked out of another school at one point, and after some time away, they are allowed to pick another school to go to. What insane law is this?

Comment by A loving mom — February 17, 2008 @ 3:07 am

I feel horrible for the completely senseless crime that has taken place. My condolences go out to the victim’s family and friend’s. Having lived in different states (CA, FL, NY and now NV) my sense of awareness has been heightened tremendously. I’ve come to realize that choosing to live somewhere “safe” is no excuse to for complacency. Criminals are criminals because they don’t have any regard for human life or the law. I too used to believe in the whole get rid of guns and everything will be better. But now, my fear is if that happens, what’s next?! A weapon in a criminal’s possession is literally anything that, for them, will get the job done!! We as a society for the most part advocate training people, especially women, kids and the elderly, to learn how to defend themselves by other means of self defense. In essence, learning how to use your body as a weapon to stay alive in the event that you become a victim of crime. A firearm, although requiring a tremendous amount of responsibility and discipline, is just another extension of self defense that can and has been used successfully in preventing serious crimes. However, I feel that there is a much bigger picture that needs to be addressed here. First, what can we do as adults? Educate! Nurture! The basic values that will give children the ability to contribute everything they have to our society while making morally sound decisions. We need to take responsibility for actions and stop making excuses. Can we totally prevent crime from happening? No. But, we can minimize the chances of becoming victims ourselves by becoming educated, aware and prepared citizens when it comes to the protection of our own family and of those we love.

Comment by J — February 17, 2008 @ 3:49 am

If this insanity must stop speak with your legislator. They’re the one’s that put these gang bangers in your neighborhood with their Section 8 housing bill thinking that they’ll curve the violence by breaking up welfare housing, when in reality they just move it to other nieghborhoods, nicer neighborhoods. Thats why the Southwest part of the valley is having their problems with robberies, burglaries, and violent gang members and now Summerlin is falling victim to it too. I feel sorry for the Police department and their officers who attempt to stop crime while at work only to find that their legislator moved the gang banger in next door. What a system…what a joke! Unfortunately without any cooperation with state and local lawmakers I fear more shootings in “safer neighborhoods” are inevitable.
No doubt a parent should be charged along with the juvenile suspect in the case of the shooting at Palo Verde. Why aren’t parents being held accountable for their children’s actions? You would see parents putting their children in check alot more often.

Comment by Megan — February 17, 2008 @ 4:44 pm

As a parents in Summerlin, we all do need to do something about this situation. A start would be to question the number of “choice” kids that leave non-performing schools and attend our community schools under the “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT”. These students, whom are not part of our community and most often do not have the same parental involvement, and morals, are attributed to many of the social ills in the summerlin schools. This is not a racist statement, but an accurate statement–check the statistics on this and you will be horrified. We have worked hard to try and have our kids live in the best place possible in Las Vegas, and our schools are polluted with kids that want nothing but to target our own children for their opportunities. This is all part of social engineering by the Federal Govt. AND the CCSD. It is a shame that this life was spared and every single person in that car MUST be charged with murder. We must demand this as a community! Go to parent meetings, demand the best, be vigilant, picket the streets of Summerlin if you have to do so, but we cannot let this happen anymore to our community.

Comment by Susan — February 17, 2008 @ 6:08 pm

this is so horrible. i mean things like this happens everyday. my sister walks home from school from palo, and the shooting happened literally seconds away from our house. it’s so scary. and it just goes to show us were not safe anywhere! even though we all thought ignorantly that summerlin is the safest, it obvioulsy isn’t. my heart goes out to the poor boys family and there isn’t anything anyone can say that will make this situation better. i dont know what i would do if something like this happened to my sister. justice needs to be served to the SICK person that did this but it will never bring him back home. my prayers are with his family and for everyone out there. .. we all need to come together and watch out for eachother.

Comment by lina — February 17, 2008 @ 6:24 pm

This blog is out of control,lock everyone up throw away keys,don’t let them come to our perfect part of the world.are you kidding who do you think you all are.We need to promote programs that help youth.ALL our youth, violence didn’t just come to Summerline because a few kids were bused in, and for all you parents who think you know 99% of when,WHERE and what your kids are doing I pray you never fall from your perfect thrown,because you have a long fall…Kids are fooling parents everyday,peer pressure can be overwhelming and our kids are doing stupid stuff….I pray for the parents of the boy who was killed, but I also pray for the families of the CHILDREN who felt the need to use violence as a resolution to a problem….

Comment by L.G — February 17, 2008 @ 8:28 pm

It is amazing that the same news story is carried over and over by the local networks with not one iota of additional information. Are the local newscasters just incompetent? Do the local station program directors think that the same story over and over will make us loyal viewers or informed citizens? Why has no one asked Metro to explain:

- Who the other passengers in the car were.
- Why the other passengers were not charged with accessory to murder?
- Who the shooter was and what possible motive he may have had (if a minor is a murderer, his identity legal status should take a back seat to the public’s right to know).
- Who harbored this criminal prior to being caught and why has that person not been charged.

These are more than just voyeuristic curiosities. Members of the community have a right to know if Metro is doing a competent job, whether we have to worry about ongoing gang violence near our schools, whether -as tragic as it was- this can be seen as an isolated event, and whether the law affords society and releif whatsoever.

Who was this murderer? Why was he at Palo? What prior information might CCSD have had that may have alerted both the school’s administration and the community?

Comment by Joe — February 17, 2008 @ 9:50 pm

I have a son in at Palo. Before we all jump into conclusions, we don’t even know who the killer is and how Chris got tangled in this. Obviously this is NOT a random shooting. Someone was targeted. I know Palo has not bussed in kids from other parts of the city for at least 3 years. And if you think this type of thing doesn’t happen in upscale, white neighborhoods, just tell that to the parents of those Columbine kids. The problem is that we have a very transient community where few parents care about their kid’s education, and we have a huge bureauracy called the CCSD where teachers are overwhelmed and the administrators will tell you frankly they really don’t give a damn. I am fortunate my son is self-motivated. Hopefully he hangs out with the right crowd and will learn. Meanwhile I am taking no chances. He is getting a bullet proof backpack.

Comment by mteverest — February 17, 2008 @ 10:14 pm

I do not think this Blog is out of control!I beleive the news reports have stated that their were adults in the vehicle carrying the murderers,I think everyone deserves to know who they were!I think parents of the students on campus deserve to know if the car was in the parking lot with the weapon or weapons prior to school being let out.
We deserve answers to tough but obvious questions.
We do have a broken society and broken families.
If legislators do not wake up with these gun laws we can only expect more of these types of horrible acts.
To this young mans family,it is very obvious that you raised a truly amazing son and a great kid.
Truly a life to CELEBRATE!!!God Bless you all
.

Comment by Ronda — February 17, 2008 @ 11:51 pm

Who was this murderer? Why was he at Palo? What prior information might CCSD have had that may have alerted both the school’s administration and the community?

EXCELLENT QUESTIONS, JOE! We as a community have the right to know these things. Additionally, your comments about the other people involved are right on point.

Comment by Sue — February 18, 2008 @ 12:04 am

I have been depressed all weekend after hearing this unimaginable news. You just never think it will happen so close to home. The family of this young man is forever deeply scarred and life will never be “normal” again. Memories will keep them going from here… Lets not forget the kids who were walking with this young man, one getting a bullet to his backpack, and how they will be terrorized by this senseless act for many years to come. Times have changed and our schools need to have crisis plans in place for such incidents. I have nephews who attend both Palo and Sig Rogich….and heard that Sig was locked down for a short time, and then the students were released with NO information about this deadly event. One of the kids walking was told that there was “construction” on Alta and that they should not walk that way!!! At the time, the killer was still on the loose….How could The Sig administrators release these kids while a killer was on the loose, without at least giving them the opportunity to call their parents for a ride home?!? Who could be sure that the murderers weren’t waiting around a corner to shoot at the next group of innocent children??? What was the point of conceiling this information??? At least college campuses inform their students what is going on… Get it straight schools! The home-schoolers are on the rise and your jobs are at risk!

To the family of the young man who was taken…Your entire community is mourning with you. Please know that there are many prayers being sent your way. May God be with you………..

Comment by JHM — February 18, 2008 @ 12:13 am

And another thing! If you think “Gun Control” is the answer, take a look at the increasing crime stats in Australia since they have taken away guns from law abiding citizens. NOT GOOD! Why not put the responsibility where it belongs….. The best influence comes from responsible parents from a young age. My parents had guns throughout my entire youth, and because I was educated by my parents about guns and the consequences of what can happen…. I was never “curious” and “knew better”. Parents…..IF YOU HAVE GUNS, and even if you don’t, EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN BEGINNING AT A YOUNG AGE AND KEEP THEM OUT OF REACH!!!

Comment by JHM — February 18, 2008 @ 12:23 am

I agree that as parents and a community, we should have the right to know more. I’m hoping, over the next few days, more information will be released. With minors involved, and an ongoing investigation in progress, we are not going to get the answers we want so quickly. What I want to know is WHO’S gun was used in the shooting? If it belonged to one of the other kids in the car, why isn’t he or she arrested and charged? Whoever gave the gun to the shooter is just as responsible. These are the questions I have that deserve answers as soon as they become available.

I’m a mother of a student at Palo. I’ve been a stay at home mom since we had kids, and I disagree with L.G. regarding knowing what our kids do 99% of the time. Some of us do know. You have no clue what some home lives are like. I have many friends who are like us. For example, our family has sacrificed over the years for me to stay home and be a MOM? Of course, anything can happen to anyone at anytime, but one thing I know for sure is that my kids have been well raised, are respectful towards their elders, are exceptional students, and have wonderful friends. They don’t hang out in malls or the streets with their buddies anytime they want. They hang out at each other’s homes mostly. So don’t judge what another mother said about how she knows what her kids do most of the time. It might come as a surprise to you, but there are nice families in Summerlin that provide loving and caring homes for their kids.

One more thing, this blog is not out of control. People are angry and have opinions. What’s wrong with speaking up? My heart goes to the family of the boy who’s life was taken so suddenly. My prayer goes out to his loved ones. That is what matters right now!

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 18, 2008 @ 12:45 am

My prayers go out to the family who lost their son forever they will never see him finish school or have a family. But we need to all come together in Las Vegas you can live in Summerlin, Vegas, North Vegas, Henderson, this type of violence is happening through out our city and it doesnt matter if we put up a shoot range or not. It’s these young teenagers getting guns from friends, family memebers, that we need to stop we need to hold the parents responsible for the crimes their children do. Have the parents stand trial along with the kids who do the crime….

Comment by maria — February 18, 2008 @ 9:40 am

I cannot believe how many people believe that “gun control” is the answer to these kinds of problems. If you take the guns out of the hands of the law abiding citizens, then only the criminals would have them. Perhaps had there been a parent there who was armed and ready when this tragedy happened, then those responsible could have been stopped when the gun first presented itself or at least when the first shot was fired. Or would the same folks who are screaming for gun control now be screaming about the injustice of a child being shot down by a parent who was defending the innocent?

Comment by S.J. — February 18, 2008 @ 5:07 pm

This is my daughters 3rd year at Palo. Something I’ve been noticing this year that is different from the previous 2 years, NO COPS. Anyone else?? They used to be around alot, especially in the morning for all the jack ass speeders through the school zones. I take her and pick her up and I have yet to see ONE cop this year……they must really be busy somewhere else.
My heart is breaking for you Ms. Privett, you are in our prayers.

Comment by Sandie — February 18, 2008 @ 6:57 pm

I have to respond to the comments by Summerlin mom,I am happy that you are a stay at home MOM,its ridiculous for you to think i am the judge here.Read these blogs,we do not have all the information on this story….All we do know is on boy is dead and another is in jail.This is America,and we do have a judicial system that will hopefully sort out this mess.We have teens acting out violently all over this city,kids hurting and killing each other…PREVENTION>>>>>not reaction thats what we as moms need to demand from our schools,and public officials….As for knowing were and what your kids are up to 99% of the time…come on
think back..You may have been the best kid in the world but your mom didn’t know everything you did…
Bottom Line…WE DON’T WANT THIS TO EVER HAPPEN TO ANY CHILDREN IN ANY NEIGHBORHOOD….MY PRAYERS TO THE PRIVETT FAMILY

Comment by L.G. — February 18, 2008 @ 8:53 pm

What’s wrong with you LG??? You part of the problem?? NOT KNOWING WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE UP TOO???? THAT IS THE PROBLEM!! I totally understand what she is saying, and that is I KNOW WHAT MY KIDS ARE DOING AND IN NO WAY ARE THEY GETTING A FECKING GUN TO GO SHOOT SOMEONE!!!
All we know is……………….WTF!!! All we know is some punk ass with parents that need to be in prison got his nasty hands on a gun and innocently took a wonderful life!!
I have raised my daughter with integrity, compassion, respect, and all that comes with that and you bet your but I ALWAYS KNOW WHERE SHE IS.

Comment by Sandie — February 18, 2008 @ 9:37 pm

The point I am making is life is not like it was, thinking back. If you are 35 and up, 44 like me. We could and DID roam the streets SAFELY with our neighbors and we had better been home by the time the street lights were on. Life is not like that today and if you want to raise your kids right and keep them safe you have changed with the times, I certainly have and that knowledge is what makes me know whats up with my kid 24/7.

Comment by Sandie — February 18, 2008 @ 9:49 pm

Why are the killer’s accomplishes not in jail? I read that there were 4 people in the car in the time of the shooting. This might be one of those gang initiation.

Comment by Concern Citizen — February 18, 2008 @ 10:02 pm

Come on give L.G. a break I understand what she is saying,and yes times are different, when I was young a fight ended in a bloody nose and a black eye. Not lying dead.Especially in the better sides of town.We need to stop blaming parents and start educating everyone.This absolutely needs to stop.

Comment by John — February 18, 2008 @ 11:14 pm

It is interesting how LG capitalized MOM on his last blog. It almost sounds like jealousy. Excuse me if we have sacrificed our life and our lifestyle for me to be a stay at home mom. Because of that, I have a 19 year old going to a private college in Boston now, who is serious about doing something important with her life. I have a son at Palo, a junior who loves baseball and has a 4.1 GPA and 6th grader at Rogich, who is a great student also. None of my kids have ever gotten detention or have I gotten a call from the school regarding a problem. Instead, I get e-mails or phone calls saying something positive about them. And yes, I know what they do 99% of the time. Because we have good rapport and relationships with each other and my husband and I have been MARRIED for 21 years. That is called a family!!!! I quit my nursing career to be a mom and thank God I did that. I agree times our different now, but what makes you think I’m going to raise my kids differently. I allowed my daughter to date at 16, etc. We haven’t raised them in a plastic bubble, if some of you might wonder. I’m more aware and so are they. They have great, fun friends who hang out together doing kid stuff, not gang related crap! We have many friends in town that are just like us. We need more families like this, not just in Summerlin, or Las Vegas, but in America.

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 19, 2008 @ 2:18 am

My name is natalie.im 14 I new Chris since i was in elementary school. weve gone to the same schools. ober and fertitta but we ended up going to different highschools! he was so nice, so funny,so smart, he has never had problems with anyone! Everyone always liked him. ive never heard of someone, meeting chris and NOT liking him!!!!! Its hard to even realize that the kid I would see walking in the halls of my middle school. has perished and moved on to a better place. its almost as if im in a bad nightmare and I just cant wake up. I pray for Chris and his loved ones. I PRAY TO GOD FOR HIM TO TAKE CHRIS’S PARENTS HAND AND HELP THEM THREW THIS ROUGH TIME!

Comment by natalie — February 19, 2008 @ 3:07 am

I just want to comment on all the news crews that decided to make their presence with trucks and cameras set up right in the middle of the rush to get your child to school on time. Don’t you think for several reasons it would have been a better idea to do you news story at a different time? It is hard enough with this tragedy to deal with, and going back to school, then we are driving to school and seeing the circus of media vans blocking and slowing traffic and making more of a difficult morning by getting my child to school late… I’m sure it made a better news story to be right in the middle of it all.

Comment by Palo Parent — February 19, 2008 @ 8:47 am

I just finished reading the article in the Review Journal where the family of the accused is having a difficult time coming to grips with the fact that they’re precious brother/son could commit such a henious crime. (cold blooded murder)I also understand that the accused did not go to school on the day of the crime because he was not feeling well. What I don’t understand is how a parent can let they’re child miss school yet allow them to go out with friends later in the day. We have a rule (yes a rule) in our home that “if you are too sick to go to school than you are too sick to go out”. I know this might seem harsh to the liberal parents out there who don’t know where they’re kids are or could care less, but for parents who are raising they’re kids in a home full of love and respect there must be rules and when those rules are followed there are rewards and when they are broken there is punishment. The unfortunate thing in our society now is the bad parents out number the good and even though we are out numbered we must not allow them to wear us down, we must remain strong and diligent in our efforts to raise our children to become responsible adults. To all the good parents I say “continue to do the right thing even if it is not popular” and to the bad parents I say “please don’t have anymore kids.” My family and I pray for the Privett family every night.

Comment by LJ — February 19, 2008 @ 9:25 am

OMG….your kidding right Summerline mom…you capitilized MOM as if you are the only good mother out there…Im happy you seem to have the perfect family….but there are alot of very niave parents out there who THINK they know everything….I sincerely hope you never find out your one of them…so instead of keeping up this battle of words with me…do something to help your community…kids need our help….all our help…It takes a village to raise a child…this village needs to come together dont you think..?Im sorry if I offended anyone that is not my intention..Im just very sad for our children today…..

Comment by L.G — February 19, 2008 @ 9:30 am

It takes good parents to raise a child not a village.

Comment by Jim — February 19, 2008 @ 9:57 am

To L.G. I capitalized MOM because you did in your earlier post and it sounded sarcastic. If I misunderstood, I apologize. I am not battling with you over words either. I never said I had a perfect family. No one is perfect. I was just stating what so many people on these blogs have been saying about us so-called arrogant rich Summerlin people. I want people to know what they are saying is wrong about a lot of us that live here. We do care about our kids a great deal. I help out as much as I can in my community, yet I’m one person. Hopefully, my kids and their good friends will continue being positive examples in our schools. This is a sad tragedy that none of us should ever endure. But this is reality and we are all part of it, no doubt.

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 19, 2008 @ 10:38 am

Thank you Jim,It does not take a village to raise a
child.It is a parent or parents or a guardians job to teach our children about morals,respect,life,decisions and that their are consequences for every choice they make.
If you truly are involved in your kids,knowing who their friends are,who they hang out with,how are they doing in school,their attitude,how they dress,not letting them make the rules,I think you might come out with a pretty decent kid!!!
There are no perfect parents or children but I truly beleive if you talk to your kids about all of these things daily and teach them how precious life is and how great it can be,your son or daughter hopefully would not be sitting in the Clark Co. Detention Center right about now!!!!

Comment by Rhonda — February 19, 2008 @ 11:56 am

WHO OWNS THE GUN??? WHO OWNS THE GUN??? WHO OWNS THE GUN??? The registered owner needs to be held responsible as well….. These are the kind of incidents that make people “freak out” and call for gun control…..Responsible gun owners should not be punished! We have to be able to defend ourselves against these cold-blooded killers. A sixteen year old KNOWS what a gun can do even if the kid’s parents were neglectful enough to not educate their kid. TRY HIM AS AN ADULT!!!!!!

Comment by JHM — February 19, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

I too am a stay-at-home mom and have been since my first child was born. I am extremely grateful that I have been able to do this, it has not always been easy. My daughter is now an eighth grader at Rogich, and she was terrified to go to school this morning. She barely slept last night, I’m sure because of the anxiety she was feeling over this tragic situation. She cried for me to let her stay home today, but I made her go, and it broke my heart. She’s a good girl, smart and extremely sensitive. I usually pick her up from school but sometimes let her walk home. Thank goodness I didn’t let her on Friday. While I was waiting for her, she texted me that there was a lockdown drill and she would be late getting out. Ten minutes later, out poured all the Rogich kids, thinking it had only been a drill. Ten minutes?? They were let out half an hour after this poor child was shot and allowed to walk home with absolutely NO knowledge of what had happened right there on the corner with the killer still on the loose! What the hell were these administrators thinking? Not to mention the fact that the elementary school kids right up the street were let out of school with NO lockdown at all, no clue as to what had happened. Myself and most other parents knew nothing of the situation at that point, and my son rode his bike home that day.
I just feel sick about this whole thing. My kids will not be walking or riding their bikes to and from school again. I have the luxury of being able to drop them off and pick them up because of my situation, and I will gladly drive their friends who’s moms don’t have that luxury.
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. Privett. I cannot even fathom how horrible this must be for you.

Comment by Just a Mom — February 19, 2008 @ 1:07 pm

Is it any wonder there is a sterotype regarding Summerlin residents? I’ve seen blame being placed on other parents, kids from “bad” areas of the city, teachers, CCSD, the police,the government, etc. When will be start to take responsibility as an entire community and work together to support one another? Had this happened in a “bad” area of town, there would be little discussion other than how that never happens in OUR area. Well apparently it does. I am ashamed that as a Summerlin Mom I am seeing what amounts to an old-fashioned “pissing contest” to see who is the better parent and who most closely watches their kids. There are plenty of great parents who can’t afford to be home and watch their kids 24-7 and their kids turn out just fine. We have no right to judge the alleged shooters family and how they were raising their son. Bad things happen to “good” families all the time….remember the football players that tried to burn down Faith Lutheran? The 3-11 boys?…why not stop pointing the finger and let’s work together as a city to keep ALL our kids safe.

Comment by Jennifer — February 19, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

The Las Vegas community has no idea of the juvenile delinquents that are in class with your kids everyday. We have a “revolving door” way of dealing with students who get expelled in Clark County. They are sent to “opportunity/behavioral school” and then “recycled” into ANOTHER school. Students who have had weapons, drugs etc. are placed BACK in the “regular” population and it happens OVER and OVER again. Until administration puts a stop to this and opens a school where these “troublemakers” STAY for the rest of their education we will continue to have these problems.

Comment by Sarah — February 19, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

One thing that needs to occur near Palo is for marshals to clear out the group of 20-30 kids who loiter on the steps of the Leisure Center everyday after they get out from Palo. Also, the school police need to patrol the campus and stop standing around together laughing in the parking lot like they do everyday. I was a student in 1982 at Valley HS when our teacher Clarence Piggot was shot and killed by a student and I’m tired of this worsening disregard for life in this community.

Comment by lori — February 19, 2008 @ 2:23 pm

I beg to differ with Jennifer, I have every right to judge a person that takes another life. A young man is shot in the back while walking home from school and you’re going to tell me I don’t have a right to judge! Please don’t confuse the term finger pointing with judging, they have two completely different definitions. I am not one of the “steroetype” residents in Summerlin, I work 60 hours a week and my wife has a 40 hour a week job. We taught our kids at an early age “bad choices lead to bad consequences” and if my kids make a bad choice I will hold him/her and myself completely responsible for they’re actions and accept the punishment. What we need to do as a “community” is send all of our kids and they’re parents back to school and take a class called Accountability 101.

Comment by Jim — February 19, 2008 @ 2:34 pm

GREAT COMMENTS JENNIFER…and a side not you did mention the 3-11 boys, did you see the two brothers that were associated with that are now going to schools and talking to kids in an effort to help stop violence in our community…as I recall the story they were only 16 when the issue happened with them,
and now the about 20 and doing good things for this community.I remember how everyone wanted those boys all to spend the rest of their lives in prison as well…I cant speak about all those boys, but atleast the two brothers and there T.A.R.G.E.T. PROGRAMS is a start …..Oh isnt it strange how from day one all those boys were plasted on the news,no matter there ages, and the kid that shot up the bus stop a few months ago,yet with this situation they protect identities.??especially of the other people in the car…????something is fishy to me….

Comment by L.G — February 19, 2008 @ 2:37 pm

Ask the teachers at Becker, Cimmarron HS or Palo HS. The killer was nothing but trouble. He never did any work when hid did show up and, when he did show up, he did nothing but cause trouble. He was one of those idiots who sit in the back of the class and make fun of smart kids. He thought it was “cool” to be dumb. He could barely read…and was proud of the fact. Everyone that knew him, knew he was headed to prison. We all just hoped that he did not hurt anyone on his way there.

Comment by Jim — February 19, 2008 @ 3:03 pm

Can anyone confirm the alleged shooter was kicked out of Cimmaron and simply moved to Palo? My understanding from teacher friends in CCSD, that is the usual policy, when a kid is kicked out from one school he is just moved to another school.

Comment by mteverest — February 19, 2008 @ 3:25 pm

Dear Fellow Las Vegans,

Enough! Do not tolerate crime and violence any more.
Call or write your Sherif, Major, County Commisioner and State and Federal representatives and demand specific, positive change now. If you don’t demand positive change, you will not get positive change. Also, join your Neighborhood Watch,a dn let us all be vigilant and helpful. Today I emailed this to Sheriff Gillespie:

Dear Sheriff Gillespie,

I have lived in Summerlin for ten years. My daughter goes to Sig Rogich Middle School.
Friday’s shooting at next door Palo Verde High School, is to me, an unacceptable tragedy,
It is also yet another indication of the completely unacceptable levels of crime in all of Las Vegas.

As a prior Neighborhood Watch co- Block Captain, I learned a couple of facts:

1 - that a majority of citizens do not have the time, knowledge or fortitude to protect themselves
and their families against criminals. Nor should they, for in civilized societies, we the people, rely on you, the law enforcement authority, to serve and protect us against the scum of the earth.

2 - Metro’s North West Command states that they allocate about 80% of their resources to traffic
patrolling, presumably issuing speeding tickets, which we all see in Summerlin, whereas when we
have our monthly burglary per neighborhood, or prowlers sneak up and down the streets late a night,
it takes metro one and a half to three hours to get a car on the scene.

My questions are:
1 - what kind of new resources do you need to be able to crack much more vigourously down on crime?
2 - are you willing to substantially re-allocate resources from speed ticketing to crime fighting?
3 - do you believe harsher punishment of all crimes would help deter crime?

Finally, Sunday before last the LVRJ had a front page headline stating something like ‘Most Burglars Will Never Be Caught”.
Is Las Vegas then, still the wild west? Should we all just carry guns, so we can each carry out our own protection business?
Or - DOES Metro have a plan to improve its peformance?

I look forward to your response. Thank you. Sincerely
Henrik Yde

Comment by henrik yde — February 19, 2008 @ 3:42 pm

The comment by Jim is true. Gerald had a pretty long bad school rap record. Information is getting out slowly, but soon you will all know, I’m sure. Many teachers and administrators are aware of this now. He was a trouble maker in school and he was kicked out of Cimmaron. He didn’t move to an area for Palo zoning. He committed a horrible crime and that crime took the life of an innocent boy. This is what we are talking about here, not who is a better parent or lives in a better neighborhood. Parents must be held accountable for their children’s actions, and not the village, so to speak. Family values are going down the drain and these types of horrific acts will keep on happening. The system must change. It isn’t fair for those kids, like mine and many of yours on this blog, who like school, want to go learn and prepare for their future. They are slowed down and distracted by the Geralds out there in the classrooms. And on top of that, they now fear of walking down the street thinking they can be a target for some inhumane individual. How pathetic!! I want to know why no talk about who’s gun he used has been mentioned yet. That individual must be arrested right away. I’m sure since the investigation is ongoing, this can take some time, but I hope we hear soon and get some more answers.

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 19, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

My name is Rebecca and i’m a Junior at Palo; today was the first day back since the loss of Chris and there is a false sence of security; I no longer feel safe in the school. My heart goes out to Chris’s parents and family though I myself did not know him.

Comment by Rebecca — February 19, 2008 @ 5:12 pm

WHY WHY WHY Aren’t the other people in that car in custody???????????????????????????
JESUS I HAVE BEEN ASKING THIS QUESTION AND CANNOT FIND AN ANSWER!! Maybe I should call the police dept. and ask?

Comment by Sandie — February 19, 2008 @ 5:13 pm

Such a tragedy in every way: for the young man that lost his life and for his family; for the shooter that didn’t think about the consequences and will spend his life in an adult prison; and for his family that has lost their son. Please pray for them all.

Comment by Cheryl — February 19, 2008 @ 5:20 pm

I completely agree with #80’s comment. I am a high school teacher in the CCSD. I commend my school for its security policies and feel safe when I drive up to the school and when I go to work. Newspaper and TV news are focusing on school safety. When are we going to talk about parental responsibilities? It isn’t school safety issues which caused this tragedy, but, clearly, the break down of the family. School administrators, teachers, hall monitors, etc. are teaching and raising other people’s kids nowadays. We not only teach the 3 r’s, but we have to model and teach good behavior. I acknowledge, too, there are many good parents/families here in Vegas, but I have also seen the worst of the worst! The questions to ask are; WHERE WAS THIS KID’S (along with the other 4 kids in the car) MOMs AND DADs ON FRIDAY? HOW DID HE GET A GUN? WHO OWNS THE GUN USED IN THE COMMISSION OF THIS CRIME? SHOULDN’T HIS PARENTS BE ARRESTED, TOO? HELD FOR QUESTIONING? I VOTE FOR HOLDING PARENTS ACCOUNTABLE. This tragedy did not happen in school!!!

Comment by Joyce — February 19, 2008 @ 5:29 pm

I think the biggest issue is that this City chose to break up the “hood” and moved all of the Section 8 housing into your and my neighborhood. The kids that live in these subsidized houses come from low life scum that do nothing to improve their lives. You can take a person out of a bad/gang infested neighborhood but that doesn’t stop that person from being bad/gang member. All that happened is that the notoriously bad schools..Rancho, Vegas, etc(that were located in the bad neighborhoods) are no longer the “bad” schools. The government made sure to spread it all over the valley so no one is safe and no school is safe. It used to be if you lived in the West you were in a safer school/area but now it doesn’t matter where you live. I say the solution is to put the gang members and the scum back into their own segregated neighborhoods again..it sure made it easier to find them and the crime will go back down in the nicer areas of town again. That way when one of them walks down your street you know they don’t belong and know they are up to no good and the cops can respond properly rather than being stretched so thin like they are now. Letting them live in the neighborhood they commit their crimes in doesn’t do anything to help the situation. Get rid of the section 8 housing in nice neighborhoods and see your way of life improve as well as your house values!!!!!

Comment by Concerned Parent — February 19, 2008 @ 5:29 pm

My heart goes out to both these families…..one will try to cope with the tragic death of a child and the other with knowing thier son caused the tragedy. The alleged suspect is old enough to know right from wrong and is old enough to face the consequences needed in this instance. Parents can be/should be accountable for the actions of their children, but whith kids this age…they have aleady either deceided to be good and take the right paths…or to be bad and walk the wrong road. I only hope justice will be served and someone, some child, anyone….can learn from this…even if it only one.

Comment by Carrie — February 19, 2008 @ 5:32 pm

As an educator and a parent, I completely agree with Linda. Summerlin, my community, must take a stand against the violence. CCSD MUST take a stand against violence and gang activity. In my former city, there was a “Zero Tolerance” stand against gang violence or any violence. If these students get totally kicked out of school if they are involved in any way with violence and/or gangs, the parents may think twice. WHY should thugs make innocent children live in fear with disrupted educational environments. Get rid of the kids who do not comply. Do not give second and third chances…..I call my coomunity, SUMMERLIN, to RALLY for a ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY!

Comment by Susan — February 19, 2008 @ 5:34 pm

YES kids are shuffled from one school to the next - with a little bit of behavioral/opportunity inbetween. Until CCSD does something to stop the revolving door process this will continue and as “Summerlin mom” commented these students will continue to disrupt the education process.

I’d like to know where the other kids in the car are? Where is the car? Gerald KNOWS who these kids are and he knows where the gun is. I just watched the news and he pleaded “not guilty”. His family were all there today, what do you want to bet if the school called no one would be found to come and get him from school? If this kid was trouble as stated, the family should be pretty familiar with dealing with this kid. Today parents make excuses for their kids (not ALL) and I was hearing that from his family “we don’t know what kids are faced with today”. A child is dead puuulllleeaaasseeee wake up.

Comment by Concerned — February 19, 2008 @ 5:41 pm

Why is everyone fooling themselves that schools in this District are safe? Maybe one of these comments on here should be from a student who actually goes and sees this everyday. I do. Whatever Metro is telling you is probably just cover up.

Why are all these parents and officials crapping themselves? You think our schools are perfect? What do you assume, that kids don’t smoke, drink and do drugs on a daily basis? That there are still girls getting pregnant at a WAY too early age? That even though your kid goes home, and looks fine to you, that he is not secretly wishing to kill himself [and everyone else] because he was tormented at school?

Why is all of this crap going on about school safety NOW, after someone was killed? You saw what happened at Columbine, Virginia Tech, and other places. What’s to stop it from happening right now, or tomorrow? And when it DOES happen, where will your crappy school security be then?

Gun control? Are you kidding me? No matter how many precautions you take, there will always be someone inventive enough to sneak one anyway. But why are we worring about something as trivial as gun control? It’s too late, he’s dead already.

This shit sucks.

Comment by Mayokitty [freshman] — February 19, 2008 @ 5:41 pm

What a shame, I do not have school children, mine are all grown, but who’s to say that one mine will not get shot just walking. The shooter should be an example, the death penalty for him.

Donna

Comment by Donna — February 19, 2008 @ 5:49 pm

In reguard of the Palo shooting, I do not think Gerald Davidson shot the freshmen boy. I’ve know him since I first moved out here from California. He was one of my first friends in Las Vegas. I know people change as they grow up, but Gerald was and is a really good boy. He’s good in school and has always been really good with sports. I know he was paced in the car, but I really don’t think he did it. He has a lot of potential and he’s really smart. I don’t think he would do something like that to ruin the rest of his life. He’s knows better then that. I think police should further investigate the crime before keeping him in juvie or moving him to county. The police should further investigate the other people in the car, if gerald’s in custody, why arn’t the other’s? How did they determine her was the shooter?

Comment by Daniela Biby — February 19, 2008 @ 5:55 pm

In reguard of the Palo shooting, I do not think Gerald Davidson shot the freshmen boy. I’ve know him since I first moved out here from California. He was one of my first friends in Las Vegas. I know people change as they grow up, but Gerald was and is a really good boy. He’s good in school and has always been really good with sports. I know he was placed in the car, but I really don’t think he did it. He has a lot of potential and he’s really smart. I don’t think he would do something like that to ruin the rest of his life. He’s knows better then that. I think police should further investigate the crime before keeping him in juvie or moving him to county. The police should further investigate the other people in the car, if gerald’s in custody, why arn’t the other’s? How did they determine her was the shooter?

Comment by Daniela Biby — February 19, 2008 @ 5:58 pm

Videos of the shooter’s face sobbing in the court room should be put on TV for all other wanna be shooters to see. Maybe they would think twice to see the reality of it all. This hot shot was not so hot after all!

Comment by judy — February 19, 2008 @ 6:05 pm

Sick! This criminal murdering scum must not only be tried as an adult, but be made an example of so that his ganster peers perhaps will finally understand that shooting like a damn fool out of a car window because your millionaire rapper heros scream about it leads to pain and suffering to yourself and your family forever.

The KILLERS’ parents should be ashamed to show their faces in public. In fact, they too should be charged!

This is my Neighborhood, not your HOOD!

Comment by Don — February 19, 2008 @ 6:06 pm

I saw the news today and witnessed the anguish of the family of the shooter. We have tried to raise our own son according to religious teachings, but at a certain age, it becomes difficult to monitor all their actions. We have also experienced anguish as we saw our son make choices the exact opposite of all we had taught him and he has had to pay the consequences of those wrong choices. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Privett family whose baby was shot down in cold blood, but my thoughts and prayers also go out to the family of the shooter. I cannot believe any family wishes their children to end up as this shooter has.

Comment by P.R. — February 19, 2008 @ 6:12 pm

No neighborhood is completely safe anymore. The shooter needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. May God bless and watch over the victim and his family and friends during this tragic time.

Comment by Nick T. — February 19, 2008 @ 6:12 pm

This boy murdered an innocent, un-armed person by shooting in the back then running like a snake to hide. Hang him! hang Him High!

Comment by Kill the Killers! — February 19, 2008 @ 6:18 pm

The family of the shooter sobbing and crying on the News makes me sick! Sure, lets all feel sorry for the killer’s family, while the family of the innocent young man that was brutally murdered is so distraught at this time that they can’t even think straight! At least the killer’s family still has their son. THE RULES HAVE GOT TO CHANGE!!! If a kid is expelled from a school, they should be sent to a school for troubled students…..NOT SENT BACK TO PUBLIC SCHOOL WHERE INCIDENTS SUCH AS PEER MURDER CAN HAPPEN!!!

Comment by JHM — February 19, 2008 @ 6:28 pm

Parent’s prayer for your children before they leave the house or get out the car, and tell them you love them if that is to hard say something like, have fun at school or see you later, or have a good day, just to let them know you care, it could have been your child or mine.

Comment by charlotte — February 19, 2008 @ 6:28 pm

OK for the people who dont know gerald he was a bright student he almost had all honor class an was good at sports but how do you know he did it wear is the gun or were is the bullet they arrested him on she said he said stuff. they also said i was in the car an i did it not true.they need to arrested him if they had solid facts

Comment by TRE — February 19, 2008 @ 6:28 pm

Too late to cry now….Gerald and family. Your tears MAKE ME SICK! If this kid was kicked out of one high school, I don’t want to hear about what a “great kid” he is. His parents obviously knew he was trouble then….yet they let him stay out of school “sick” and then go with friends later in the day to murder someone??? What kind of parenting is that??? No normal citizen thinks about holding a gun out of a car window and shooting randomly into a crowd of innocent kids. This kid needs to pay for Chris’s life with his own. He made the choice…He initiated it….he needs to finish it!!!

Comment by JHM — February 19, 2008 @ 6:33 pm

To Daniela Biby #92’s comment: This boy might of been a friend of yours. But, he is anything but a good boy. The police arrested him because most likely they had enough evidence, such as gun powder on his hands or under his fingernails. If you saw his school behavioral record from the last few years, you would see he is not a “good” boy. He is not smart. He was a trouble maker at school and now he has to pay for his actions. Let’s say he didn’t pull the trigger, he still fled a crime scene and hid at a friend’s house. Good boys don’t act like that. I hope you know better?

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 19, 2008 @ 6:37 pm

Gerald was a great student he almost had all honor class’s the police should not have arrested him without solid evidence. WERE IS THE SHELL OF THE BULLET AN THE GUN THAT WILL TELL YOU WHO REALLY DID IT HE DIDNT DO THIS HE IS NOT LIKE THAT.

Comment by TRE — February 19, 2008 @ 6:39 pm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XjdVOfnYkyA

Were do the children play?

Comment by Don — February 19, 2008 @ 6:47 pm

To 103: If he is not like that why isn’t he giving up WHO is? Somehow HE is involved. If he didn’t do it, he was there and he knows who did. Metro did not pull his name out of a hat and go after him.

It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if he was a student who has been recycled from one school to the next. That’s how it is done here in Clark County. The “bad” kids are in EVERY school!!!

Comment by Concerned — February 19, 2008 @ 7:26 pm

THIS IS A HATE CRIME and all four should be charged with it

Comment by bennon — February 19, 2008 @ 7:44 pm

#85 comment that is brilliant! I love it…God bless the Privett family.

Comment by MLU — February 19, 2008 @ 8:33 pm

First of all I would like to send my condolences to the family and friends of this young man senslessly murdered by societal scum! I would also like to say I was sickened by News 8’s coverage of the murderer and his family’s reaction in the court room. I do not feel sorry for the family of this waste of human flesh and I hope they lock up his family as well as he and the other people in the car with him! It’s time we wake up and quit excepting the Ghetto culture as being an acceptable way to live in this Country. Wake up America…we would love to think we live in a Disney Sit-com but we do not. Make an example out of this punk and then crack down on the rest. It could be your child next! This proves you are not safe anywhere.

Comment by Jack — February 19, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

#85 Right on Buddy! I could not agree with you more!! You can take the gangsta out of the hood but you can’t take the hood out of the gangsta. CCSD quit insisting that our children be a melting pot experiment for your kicks. Color does NOT matter but CULTURE DOES!!!

Comment by Tony — February 19, 2008 @ 9:14 pm

Davidson shouldn’t have done the crime if can’t do the time. Try him as an adult and keep him locked up with the big boys. They’re gonna have a good time with him. This punk wanted to act all hardcore, shooting a defenseless, unarmed child who had an actual future, so let him enjoy what hardcore is really like on the inside for the rest of his worthless life. Palo Verde and more importantly Summerlin is no place for troubled youth. Keep them in their own neighborhoods amongst their own kind, away from residents and our children. Strictly enforce geographic lines for school attendance, and build a reform school for these useless criminals. The parents of the slain child should smack the family of Davidson with a wrongful death lawsuit and take them for what little they likely have. Set a clear example that losers like this do not belong here and will not be tolerated.

Comment by SmmrlnRsdnt — February 19, 2008 @ 9:22 pm

I’ll start with #109 first… How do you determine who has the proper “culture” for your tastes? Poor people can’t go to school with your kids? How about kids whose parents don’t have a high school diploma? Non-English speakers? And what do you do about those kids who don’t have the same “culture” as you? Send them to crappy schools and perpetuate their terrible “culture”? This kid should be punished severely, but not everyone else who don’t hold to your “culture.”

As for #110… Who are “their own kind?” How do you plan on weeding out the criminals from the lawful? Sounds to me like you’re a racist who would love to go back to separate water fountains…

Comment by Alex — February 19, 2008 @ 9:42 pm

I can’t understand all of the hate that seems to be coming from alot of these comments. I have three beautiful children; one is in middle school and one in high school and my youngest will start kindergarden in the fall. While I believe that I am raising my children to be intelligent, loving, and tolerant of all people and races, when I read comments like the others on this blog, I wonder how others are living/raising their children. This is a tragedy any way that you look at it. Two families have been torn apart and while one son appears to be nothing more than an innocent victim, the other son’s life has been ruined forever by what he may have believed would have been a prank. Any of us can sit here and think that something like that couldn’t happen to us, but I know that all I can do is send my children out into this world and hope that the beliefs I have given them will lead them to make the right decisions in life. I would not want to be in the position of either one of these families and I wish that something positive could come from this tragic situation.

Comment by colleen — February 19, 2008 @ 9:46 pm

Let’s all actually do something about this: Go to the CCSD website and contact the Board member representing Palo, Terri Janison. Tell her how sick we are of the district policy to “recycle” these troubled kids. The shooter was kicked of Cimarron and just transferred to Palo. The district policy makers have BLOOD on their hands. We need to voice together to change this insane policy!

Comment by mteverest — February 19, 2008 @ 10:01 pm

he went to my middle school, two years ago. i just found out today when my first period teacher asked us who went to that certain middle school. even though i didnt know him personally, knowing he went to my middle school, and went to the same HS where my friends go, its scary. what is the world coming to?

Comment by sue — February 19, 2008 @ 10:26 pm

EXCELLENT IDEA #113!!! I just did! You have to go into “Contact Us”, then click on Board Members and see their picture. To the left you click on “Contact your Board Member” and that is where you can email. Let’s all write in and let them know that we will not stand by and watch as our schools go down the drain! Recycling is insane and does NOTHING to discipline the trouble-maker. I am from S. FLA, where if the kid is expelled, they are sent home for the remainder of the year, and then return to the school for which they are zoned (the same school) the following year, having to repeat the grade. Repeating the grade is somewhat of a deterrent, as is the embarrasment of having to face the same kids and teachers. What is the point of paying SIDS so you can send your kids to the best schools if “recycled” kids are able to attend as well. How is that fair? So all a kid has to do to get into the best schools is get expelled from another? That tactic would save Summerlin residents a lot of Summerlin fees if they want to move! Lets band together — Write in TODAY!

Comment by JHM — February 19, 2008 @ 10:42 pm

Well i’ve lived here my whole life and right now im glad i already graduate… I had a lot of friends who when to palo.. This is crazy what it comes down to now of day… I only graduate in 06 two years ago.. This one scary thing and i’m so sorry for all you kid that lost a friend and the parents and losted there little boy… For the shooter need to be charged as an adult you can’t buy a gun until you are an adult right…. This is the scarys thing i’ve seen in a long time in las vegas… This can be a great city but i think that high schools need more security.. This might not be that best education but all of the kids need to be safe… SO DO SOMETHING TO HELP ARE KIDS NOT HURT AND BE SAFE…
So what are you going to do?

Comment by Jessi — February 19, 2008 @ 11:41 pm

Goodness! I agree with many of you. We all need to do something about the recycling of these trouble students. Why not build a school in the center of Vegas and put them all in the school. Let us contact the district and complain! I remember many years ago, when I was in high school in So. Cal. the kids who failed a grade or committed a crime ended up in this continuation schools. They either stayed there and got their diploma, eventually, or they dropped out. But, they were not EMBEDDED back into our schools. Schools are a place to go learn and not be distracted by the filth of today’s pieces of trash!!!!

My heart goes to the family of Chris. I have a 16 year old at Palo and I couldn’t imagine my life without my son. Like some of you said about seeing the family of the shooter on the news, I agree, it was pathetic. Who cares what they are feeling!!!! The parents of this kid have dropped the ball, not once, but a few times. He was kicked out of Cimmaron for more troubles most of you know right now. I know. I have my sources. The cops obviously have found enough evidence to not just arrest him, but to try him as an adult. Hello people!!!! Those of you who think he was a good kid. The cops most likely found gun powder residue under his fingernails or hands or other sure found evidence, therefore booking him. I can’t stand some of the people in this blog and the ones in the lvrj that are trying to protect this piece of trash, when an innocent kid was taken from his family so suddenly when he couldn’t even say goodbye to his mom. What stupid minds do these people have? All I’m reading is we are racists in Summerlin or maybe he didn’t do it, kind of crap. Get real!!! It is what it is!!!! I’m just waiting for the other 4 to get arrested and have charges pressed, since they were an accessory to MURDER!!

Comment by Summerlin mom — February 20, 2008 @ 12:33 am

This is so sad to hear about this innocent young man getting shot. my prays go out to this young man and his family as for the shooter that is being charged in the murder of this young man i hope the police did get the right boy. this boy will have his day in court. i hope that the court can sort out who shot chris privett. my son goes to polo verde and this has got me so upset and saying why,why why. i beleive we should all pull together to stop this type of thing going on in las vegas we all love this city but it must change now. i am reaching out to everyone lets make a change and we all need to be part of this change. as for the other people in the car i want everyone to be counts for there actions in the court of law. everyone in the car has taken a part of this murder its not fair for one young man to take the blame. i am asking the dist. attoney to file charges to everyone in the car we voted for you in office to be able to protect all of us in las vegas.so do your job that you need to do.

Comment by CBV — February 20, 2008 @ 1:41 am

The person that fired that gun is a murderer, the one who owns that gun is an accessory to murder, the people in that car are accomplices to murder, the owner of the place they hid out at is guilty of harboring fugitives. Point blank. The case will be decided and hopefully the truth will be found. The only thing that is left to wonder is the penalty. I don’t think that the perpetrator should wake to see another day past sentencing. You can not feel sympathy for the lion, only for the lamb.
The predator, like so many rabid or pit fighting dogs should be put down. No child should be a victim, even to another “child.” No gun law will stop this, no school, no policeman, no community. The children have to stop, they know it’s wrong. Make the penalty stiff enough, and it won’t be cool to be violent. It’s not a problem where I was stationed in Saudi. And Heaven help me if it were my child being charged with murder, he wouldn’t get the chance to “get out with good behavior.” I have children, sons, but the laughable saying “I brought you into this world…” (you know the rest) isn’t a joke in my home. I love my boys, and they know it. I hug the ones that aren’t “too old” for it yet, each and every night.
And pray for their safety when they’re away from me.

To the family of “Able,” God will heal and uplift you. Gather close; He’s there. Find peace in eachother and try to seek counseling if possible.

Comment by abrown — February 20, 2008 @ 1:57 am

To the shooter parents if your son did not do it for a fact i how he is not going to be sentenced. but you know everyone in the car help the police to find the right one that did this crime. if your son did shot this young man dont try to protect him let him go and face the music and looking at the dad in court dont you own a suit man if not rent one this is las vegas they rent suits in this city this is your sons life on the line. and if i say if your son pulled the trigger he should get the death penality and for you being the parent you need not to have any more kids and take a parenting class and educate your child to do right not wrong. i hope the court will exacute the right person that did this crime.

Comment by CBV — February 20, 2008 @ 1:59 am

The answer is Private Schools - misbehave and you are out - not recycled to another school. My kids could bring home good report cards but until they got THAT letter inviting them back next year - their grades meant very little. Citizenship and academics are hollow without the other. Yes private schools are a huge financial sacrifice but my kids were worth it!

Comment by Mary — February 20, 2008 @ 6:44 am

I know this blog is about the shooting and the families and my heart goes out to both of them. But does anyone but myself see that the “kids” writing in can’t even make complete sentences and in some cases make sense? From #116 “I only graduate in 06 two years ago.. This one scary thing and i’m so sorry for all you kid that lost a friend and the parents and losted there little boy” - this is a highschool graduate writing??? Doesn’t say much for our education system.

Comment by Concerned — February 20, 2008 @ 7:33 am

In a city where we have a basically re-active police department we as citizens must be pro-active in protecting ourselves. We cannot rely on others to protect us and our families, we must take the initiative and take matters into our own hands. I have been a registered gun owner for 20 years and I am prepared to defend my family and property if an unwelcomed individual has the desire to come into my home. I also have a security system, a dog and additional locks on my windows and anti home invasion devices on all of my doors. It is sad when you really think about it, being prisoners in our own homes, but when you look at the alternative the choice is simple. Although I cannot protect my children 24/7 I can at least give them some comfort knowing that they can feel safe while they are at home. I know Chris was gunned down from behind by 5 cowards and all of what I stated above could not have prevented his death however I still will control what I am able to and pray during the times I am unable to.

Comment by LJ — February 20, 2008 @ 7:54 am

My heart goes out to the Privett family. Such a terribly thing to have happen. Something has to be done. This senceless violence has got to stop.

Comment by Lori — February 20, 2008 @ 9:05 am

Me being only 23 years old, when I see this type of things happen at a school it just makes me wonder… WHERE THE HELL ARE THE PARENTS. Everyone keeps saying CCSD needs to step up and do something. I believe the parents are the responsible role models and teachers to their kids. My mother asked where i was, who i was with plus a million more questions. Parents need to watch there children and guide them through becuase its only gonig to make our WHOLE COMMUNITY worse. I am very sorry to the parents of Chris. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Justice will be served. And just remember it can happen ANYWHERE!!

Comment by Stephanie — February 20, 2008 @ 9:26 am

#122 I could not agree with you more!! Here is a tip, do you parents SNOOP on myspace like I do???????? Very interesting when I searched the name Gerald Davison. There are 2 myspace’s under that name and age in Las Vegas. One of them was set up in July, 2006 and hasn’t been logged into since 8/06 so it has not just been set up for some sort of joke. The headliner of the page is “If You Aint Cripin Then You Aint Wit It”. A coincidence? I doubt it! How the parents of this boy did not know this was going on, and for his “aunt” on TV saying he’s a good boy, OH MY GOD WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Sandie — February 20, 2008 @ 10:23 am

Well, I have sat back a read everyones comments. Some I agree with and some I don’t. If this kid(The shooter) was such a good kid. Then why was he with the other 4? Where did they get the gun? If he stayed home from school(sick) why did the parents let him leave the house? I’m also a stay at home mom. I’m glad to be at home. I know what my daughter is doing all the time. We are a racing family spend about of time together. Keeping your kids busy is the key. The family that playing together stays together. I also agree if this kid was a problem child then why pass him from one school to another? Kick him out of school and make his parent teach him. There is home school. As for rascism well listen to the news people. Every morning my husband and I listen it’s always those people who break into homes or drive by shootings. I agree build a school in the center of the city let them all go to one school together. Stop busing them all over the city. Keep them in one area if they feel like killing let them kill each other. Not innocent by standers. Sorry if that sounds bitter but what else can be done. I agree with Bill Cosby. It all starts at home. This kid is 16 he should know right from wrong. Right??? It was his choice to get in the car and pull the trigger. Why shoot at a bunch of innocent children? How crowdly is that. I feel for the victims family my condoleces go out to them. My prayers are with you. I can’t image what it would be like to have my child shot and kill in cold blood. Like I said what a crowd. They are all crowds in my eyes. I can’t begin to tell you have angry this makes me. It’ stupid… Lock him up and throw the key away. This killer should be tried as an adult. He made this choice not us or the victim. Poor kids now all these young kids are scared to death and can you blame them? As for as the family of the killer you should be a shamed of yourselves for even crying about how your son is innocent. Not in my eyes. Hang this punk.. He doesn’t deserve to even live. He took a life and should pay with his…. Like someone said if you do the crime do the time. I don’t really care what his family has to say. They talked about how they are praying for the killer why not say something about the victims family. How sorry they are that their son die for no good reason. Why did this innocent child die? Because some young punk thought it was funny? Well how funny is it now? I hope you never see the light of day. I hope everyone involed rottens for what they have done. Make an example out of all these little punks all 5 of them. Someone said this is rascial? Yes it is. 5 young black men shot and kill a young white boy. What do you call that… Eqaul opportunity? This is an outrage! No disreguard to human life. I have nothing father to say. I’m just discussed by the whole thing… Like someone said Chris is no long with his family. The killer is still alive… What a shame…

Comment by LJG — February 20, 2008 @ 10:33 am

Many of the statements promoting a stronger sense of community are excellent and should be obvious.

The behavior exhibited by these teens is explainable and expected. My wife and I have just decided to start a family (I am 42; she is 35). What is unbelievable to me is how many parents on this blog seem so confounded at this event — there is a sense of helplessness. While life offers no guarantees, parents certainly have power, and this type of event was surely expected.

What I have seen over the past 20 years is a growing number of parents who are essentially gutless worms, seemingly affraid to discipline their children, to layout a strong moral foundation and live by it. Finances must enter the picture, as well. Simply put, if you are not mentally, morally and financially ready, then you have no business raising a child.

When parents are weak or otherwise disengaged from the lives of their children, then this is what we get; it has nothing to do with video games, guns or violent movies, though individuals without a strong moral compass will certainly be influenced. This lies squarely with the parents, and I, for one, am tired of hearing the excuses. Humans are made through the application of love, discipline and education; humans are not born.

The result of poor parenting (and this includes all social strata) is plain to see; we now have self-serving subcultures that operate outside the norms of society; they have no understanding or appreciation for life. By the time these individuals are in their early teens they are lost, and innocent individuals, like Chris, suffer the consequences.

By the way, please don’t try to ascribe this problem to the educational system or the government. Parents are solely responsible for raising humans, not the schools and not the government. Parents, please wake up, and start making the necessary committment to raising a human being — not an animal! Or…please do not have children!

Comment by Alex — February 20, 2008 @ 11:50 am

My prayers go out to both families. In a tragic situation like this, two families are going through an emotional time because of the actions of one or more people. My heart goes out to both families.

Comment by Carla — February 20, 2008 @ 12:08 pm

It is clear to see by all of the comments on this blog, that the community is as outraged as I am. Is anyone surprised to see that the murderer is a formerly expelled student from another High School??? At least that High School had the sense to get rid of him before it happened there! I guess that behavioral school they send them to for a few weeks after they are expelled REALLY WORKS, huh??? PLEASE….email CCSD and let them know how you feel! Tell them that the “policy” of recycling troublemakers in with the rest of our kids who want to learn and lead a productive life is INSANE! Who came up with this rule??? We have to stand together now and do something about it as a community. It’s too late for Chris, an outstanding student and citizen of the community…..let’s not wait until another innocent child is taken down. Its time to take responsibility as a community and get this policy changed!!! PLEASE HELP NOW!

Comment by JHM — February 20, 2008 @ 12:23 pm

I am not putting this all on CCSD. I agree with #128 that the PARENTS need to be held accountable. Did anyone read LVRJ’s article this a.m. about the shooting? BOTH of Gerald’s parents have police records. Sadly enough, there will ALWAYS be people out there having children who are not responsible enough to have them and raise them as responsible adults. Therefore, we have to band together and DEMAND that the CCSD change the recycling policy! It would be nice if all of the parents in the world were as affected by this as I am, and would take a look in the mirror as to how their children are turning out. However, in the real world, there will always be parents who don’t own that type of “mirror” and will try to place the blame elsewhere. All we can do is stand up for the safety and well-being of our own children and GET THESE KNOW AND DOCUMENTED THUGS OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS!!!

Comment by JHM — February 20, 2008 @ 12:29 pm

Amen JHM I totally agree with you…. Thugs is exactlly right.

Comment by LJG — February 20, 2008 @ 12:57 pm

Its funny…my son, who attended Silverado, was sent to one of the behavior schools 1 month ago…not for fighting, gangs, distruction, drugs or weapons, but for acting up in class one to many times and “disrupting the learning environment of others”. He said the behavior school is much better than his “regular” high school. He said the kids are able to talk in class and no work has to be completed, just a name at the top of the paper for daily credit….and even with the body searches and metal detectors, uniforms, 1 minute passing, 20 minute lunch and no potty breaks during classes, he would much rather stay there than go back to his “regular” school. And he feels safer there than he ever did at a “regular” high school.

I would think a “behavior school” would/should be a place where kids would hate to go…and would want to leave and never return to. Seems a bit odd to me…..hummmmmmm, hello CCSD!!

Comment by Carrie — February 20, 2008 @ 1:24 pm

I am glad he is being tried as an adult. Kids are not of legal age to have a gun. (As far as I know) By him having a gun and firing it, choosing to be an adult, he should face the same consequences, same with drinking and driving, if under 21, they too should be tried as an adult. If kids wanted to do what adults do, they have to pay the same too.

Comment by Lesley — February 20, 2008 @ 1:33 pm

You should all be ashamed of yourselves! All this moral superiority! All this whining about your elitist neighborhoods and the sad sense of security because we live in a neighborhood with money? I too live in Summerlin, my child was walking in that same spot and I too am relieved that it wasn’t my son. At first I was sick to my stomach with the pain and devastation this has caused. Now, that has been replaced with being sick to my stomach over these blogs. What haters you people are. I understand the anger, but the hate? All of you are touting your “good family values” but teaching that hate to your children with your comments. Yes…I have witnessed the good, straight “A” student bullies! Now I know where they get it. Where is waiting for the facts? Most of you are talking about things that haven’t even been confirmed yet. Where is a little human decency - there are two families devastated and hurting. Where is the tolerance for differing opinions, the blatant attacking of each other because someone might have a differing opinion. What a sad world we live in.

I am reminded of a story:
There was a man and his two children on the city bus. The kids were running around wild and crazy but the man was doing nothing to stop it. You could see it on the faces of those around him; everyone on the bus was annoyed that the father did nothing. Finally, after several times that the children stepped on one passenger’s foot, the passenger said to the father. “Hey, you mind getting control of your kids.” Many other passengers nodded in agreement. The father looked at the passenger and said. “You’re right. I’m so sorry. My wife just recently died and in my grief I have not paid much attention to the discipline. My wife always took care of it. They never used to act up like this and I don’t know what to do.”

Until you walk in the shoes that you are so quick to judge, maybe you should consider that you don’t have the full picture and stick to well wishing. Yes…there are serious problems with the system…from top to bottom - from the school to parents - from the police and the neighborhood. The truth is, you are ALL right. You are just spending so much energy trying to prove your point that you can’t see the bigger picture.

Go ahead; write back with your response of hate, I imagine you don’t like my comments either. However, don’t expect a response, because I regret reading these blogs and will not be back.

Comment by palo parent — February 20, 2008 @ 1:35 pm

I have a breif statement,I don’t mean to offend any person here,this is America and we do have free speach as a right.We also have a judicial system,although it is overwhelmed, its there non the less.Innocent util proven guilty is our fundamental right.Not guilty because you all think so.Remember all of the accused will have their day in court, and we as citizens will have to sit on jurys,as unbias peers….PLEASE LET ALL THE FACTS COME OUT…NOT JUST THE RUMORS AND SPECULATION……

Comment by American MOM — February 20, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

Its such a tragedy to see the right children get harmed and the family of the accused blow it off.I understand you can’t watch your kids 24/7 but you NEED to know what happening with your children. for the aunt to say on TELEVISION that we dont know what goes on with these kids,Well you should.I just graduated and even now my mom knows who I hang out with and where I go because it’s important. If you can’t be a parent to your children.Than dont have them. I don’t know the family personally but my heart goes out to them.I am so tired of seeing the violence on tv and I fear for the life of my 8 and 6 years old nephew and niece when they go to school. I know that when I was in the CCSD I was stalked at school and told by another student they were going to slit my throat but the school said we didn’t hear it so we can’t take any action but if you want we can get you a restraining order? When is the school District going to wake up and see their only endangering lives, and if this student wasn’t in school as much as the students claim why wasn’t the school activly seeking out why. There are so many questions and yet not enough answers and the children are paying the price for it such a shame…

Comment by Stacey — February 20, 2008 @ 1:57 pm

I agree…parents are the key….or whoever is acting as a “parent”. Be it good or bad, home is where kids learn most of their life skills/values. If parents are vigilant