It has been a very difficult week here in Northeast Ohio. I am sure everyone has heard of the shooting tragedy in Chardon where a disturbed teenager walked into the Chardon High School cafeteria and opened fire on students. Five students were injured, and ultimately, three young teenage boys lost their lives: Danny Parmertor 16 years old, Demetrius Hewlin 16 years old, and Russell King, Jr. 17 years old. At this very early stage, prosecutors claim that this was done at random and the kids were not specifically targeted. This is the most frightening thought of all...if could have happened to anyone, at anytime.
I have been more frightened by this horrible, horrible tragedy than I thought I would be. First, I grew up not far from Chardon. For all intensive purposes, that school is very similar to my Alma mater. Before this, Chardon was known as a quiet town. When I thought of Chardon, I thought of apple farms, snow (because it is the place in CLE that seems to get the most snow), no street lights (it's more rural than suburban), and the cemetery where my mother is buried. Second, now that I have a child of my own, the reality that the Parmertor, Hewlin, and King families have to bury their children is nauseating. One day we are here and in a split second, the apple-of-your-eye child could be violently taken.
This incident has also shown me how powerful Facebook and other social media sites are. Someone I am friends with is also friends with one of those three boys who was killed. She reposted his family member's facebook post about the shooting before I had even heard the news via the News. So when the post came up that he passed away several hours later, the news was more devastating. Someone I knew lost a friend, for no reason. And because of Facebook, I was smack dab in the middle of the family and friends' grief. How will we, small city, Cleveland, Ohio move forward after losing our youth, innocence, and sense of security?
CLE is different. We may hate on our town, our sports teams, weather, and of course Lebron James, but when one is hurting, we all feel it. Immediately, through those same social media sites, groups and forums popped up to help those who survived in Chardon. It provided places for the students to grieve and feel loved. Red and black ribbons are being tied all over Northeast Ohio to show solidarity with Chardon. To let the families know that we are here for them, for whatever they need.
Danny Parmertor's funeral was held this passed Saturday. Days before the funeral, someone was tracking a very controversial "alleged Christian" group that protests and pickets high profile and military funerals to get their message of hate across. In fact, this "group" praises when tragedy strikes. I have absolutely no doubt that these people are sick. I am purposely not giving you their name or their message for two reasons: 1) I am not spreading their hate message and 2) that is exactly what they want, media attention. Anyway, as soon as the word got around on Facebook that this "group" planned to come to Cleveland to picket one of the boys' funerals, Cleveland sprung into action. Thousands of people from all over, came out on Saturday and formed a line around the church and down the street to block the grieving family and friends from having to see this disgusting display of human free will. Others who could not stay dropped off snacks, water, and blankets for those braving the cold weather. Fortunately, they did not show up. And hopefully, they will not show up on Tuesday or Thursday as the Hewlin and King families say goodbye to their loved ones. But the human barricade will be there as well. Here's an article from the News with footage: http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/people-create-human-chain-oustide-chardon-school-shooting-funeral-to-stop-church-group-from-protest.
I have no idea where we will go from here. How will this tragedy change CLE and all of us? How will education and the safety of our children be altered? Only time will tell.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Parmertor, Hewlin, and King families along with the two students who survived and have a long road to recovery. We will stick together. We will get through this together. Prayers for Chardon.
