A Washington teen was turned in by his grandmother after she read his journals that planned of committing a mass school shooting. Joshua O’Connor was in custody on the same day the Parkland school massacre happened. He plead guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree robbery with a firearm and possession of explosive devices. O’Connor would face up to 28 years in prison. In his journal, he wrote, “I need to make this shooting/bombing..infamous.” and “I need to get the biggest fatality number I possibly can. I need to make this count...I’m learning from past shooters/bombers mistakes, so I don’t make the same ones.” Once the police responded to the house, they found grenades and an AK-47.
Read the full story - http://https://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-turned-grandmother-pleads-guilty-planning-school-shooting/story?id=59672930
QUESTIONS-
1. If you were the grandmother and found the journal, would've you called the cops or took him to get help? If so, why?
2. Are you planning on taking your children to a public school knowing the risk of school shooters?
3. What ways do you think parents can prevent this from happening?
ANSWERS-
1. I would've called the cops because school shootings are a serious thing. It wouldn't of mattered who it was, if I found a journal, I would report it right away. You would be saving a lot of lives by just reporting it.
2. I am planning on taking my children to a public school because everywhere you go, there is a risk of a shooter and I think public schools help the child with interaction and being social.
3. I think the parents need to teach their children about gun control and being kind to everyone. Parents need to make sure their children aren't threatening or having harmful thoughts.
Replies
Well done Ashley!
If I was the grandma in this situation I would might have called the police and went to get help because I know that I could probably not handle this on my own and the police would know what to do.
1. I Believe confrontation might have helped. It's likely that he was going through some pyscological issues. If his grandmother would have talked to him about it then maybe he would have realized he has a problem seeked treatment.
2. I would send my children to public school regardless of the risk. I know the chance is small and unlikely that such an event would occur.
3. Parents should do anything they can that makes their child feel they are able to their parents about anything. It may prevent future school shootings.
I would have called the cops because it does not matter that he is your grandson. He could cause harm to you and other people. I am planing on public schools because children need to have skills that may only be inquired in a public school system.
It would have been one of the hardest things I would ever have to do, but it would be exteamly necessary. Knowing that my grandson could be capable of something like this is just crazy to think about. Although this is true, I would want to save the lives of many others if it meant sacrificing my grandson. As for if I will stay allow my kids to attend public school, is a definite yes. You can not live your life in fear, you just have to trust that God knows what he is doing and that he is there for us. I am not totally sure that there is an actual way to prevent this from happening. I would just do all that I could to make sure that my kids are emotionally stable and that I am doing all that I can for them.
first I would have called thhe police to make sure that he can't put anyone in danger and later look for help together with him and his parents because probably he had psychological problems or something.
I would let my children go to a public school because I have been on one too and there is always a risk that something could happen and I just would want them to have a normal life without having to worry about things like that by putting them on a school with extreme security becuse in my opinion that could scare people aswell.
The parents could try to talk to their children when then realize that something is wrong or they behaving different and if they think that the kids could actually plan on doing a shooting they should search their rooms or the house for weapons etc.
I think most people would tell the athorites if they found out someone was planning on shooting up a school. I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt especially in such a horrible way.
I think the amount of school shootings that happen in Iowa are pretty low, and shouldn't be that big of a worry. You shouldn't let the small chance of a school shooting determine whether you should send your kid to school. When our world get s to that point we'll have a big problem.
I would give my child all the love they would need to know that doing something like that is risking everything. I would make sure they're happy and if they aren't I'll get them the help they need.
if i was the grandmother i would have called the cops instantley before he was able to make a move on shooting up the school and trying to kill the most kids than any shooter has before
I think parents could just be more cautious with their children and always just check up on them to make sure that everything is ok and to see if they need anything. Also watch the friend group that they are hanging out with make sure that they are with good kids.
Yes I am even though school shootings happen a lot in todays world I still want my children to experience school and have friends. Hopefully by the time I have children School shootings will be done with and wont be happening anymore.
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