RE: Last night's hostage situation in my neck of the woods: bad news...

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-11-30-wisconsin-student-standoff_N.htm

MARINETTE, Wis. — The 15-year-old Marinette (Wis.) High School student who held 23 students and a teacher hostage on Monday has died.

The gunman, identified by Marinette Police Chief Jeff Skorik as Samuel Hengel of Porterfield, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at 10:44 a.m. Central, a day after a five-hour standoff in which he held 23 students and a teacher hostage at a Northeastern Wisconsin high school.

Hengel was in grave condition Tuesday morning at Green Bay's St. Vincent Hospital, Skorik said at a news conference Tuesday. He did not comment on the nature of the gunman's injuries.

This kid needed help. I'm speculating that the kid wanted to kill himself, (There's been a history of suicides at this school) and do so in a very public manner. Why suicide? Why not seek help?

[ejpoeta]

1. sometimes you try to get help but either no one is paying attention

or people don't want to see that someone is asking for help. there is usually some cry for help before one kills themself. the act of trying to kill oneself is often a cry for help as well. though this kind of thing would be someone who probably saw no way out.

[aikoaiko]

2. Sadly, suicide is a permanent solution to what is usually a temporary problem.

Suicide in most cases is very sad.

[hlthe2b]

3. So, local news hasn't picked up any more details?

Usually, they are the first to get to those who knew the boy and his family. So sad....Thank heavens more were not harmed.

[PeaceNikki]

6. The media knows, but they are keeping it private for now.

He was a kid.

He was in a classroom with 23 people who knew him, the media has spoken with many. They know, they're just doing their jobs.

[hlthe2b]

9. Why do you believe this to be true?

[PeaceNikki]

11. I refer you to the part where I said "He was in a classroom with 23 people who knew him"

Reporters have spoken to some of them. They have a name, I assure you.

[hlthe2b]

12. Doesn't mean his friends know Why...

If it were issues at home, the kid may not have spoken about it-- to anyone.

Having had our share of these episodes in the Denver Metro area--including two tragic incidents since Columbine-- it is unusual that there is not even some discussion and reporting, even while local press is usually more sensitive to family and others during a difficult time.

[PeaceNikki]

13. OOOh

See, I thought you were referring to the name, not the motive. My misunderstanding.

There's a lot of discussion here:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/111033729.html

It really seems a mystery in this case.

[hlthe2b]

14. Oh... gotcha...

No, of course they shouldn't reveal the name at this juncture.

[PeaceNikki]

18. Local news has no info on motive, but one dumb lady is blaming video games.

:eyes:

[riderinthestorm]

4. Any word on if this is another bullying case? So tragic and sad no matter what reason.

Just curious if there's a motive yet.

[PeaceNikki]

7. Not yet.

Authorities also said they did not know what might have motivated the boy who made no demands or requests during the standoff.

"As far as what caused this, it seems to be a mystery," Marinette Police Chief Jeff Skorik said early Tuesday. "We have not been able to identify anything that precipitated this incident."

From http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/111004564.html

[TheMightyFavog]

10. The principal said that this kid had a "clean slate"

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20101130/GPG0101/101130080/-1/marinettehostages

It could be something at home, as well.

[TheWraith]

5. Sounds like he might have been looking for suicide by cop initially.

Then just gave up on it and did the deed himself. Sad.

[Ken Burch]

8. When you've decided to get suicide

If you've really committed to it(from all I've heard)you're not interested in "seeking help".

The kid had obviously concluded that nothing COULD help.

[Tsiyu]

15. 15 is an age of poor impulse control

and lingering fanciful thinking as one transitions to adulthood.

This hostage-taking is not normal, of course, but what seems unbearable to a 15-year-old can lead them to stupid actions such as these.

Tragic for all involved.

[murielm99]

16. It did not get a lot of publicity here,

just south of your border. There was some, but it was handled discreetly. I was glad to see the media here handle this
situation discreetly. So sad.

[halowalo]

17. what about the students?

If this kid had problems, why take a gun to school and put others in danger?

[PeaceNikki]

19. Nobody here... NOBODY is saying what he did is justified.

One of the hostages just said he never threatened anyone "he didn't want to hurt anyone".

[TheMightyFavog]

20. Maybe he wanted to make his suicide a public spectacle?

:shrug: