WI - Armed Student Reportedly Holding High School Classroom Full of Hostages

[Tuffy]

From the WBAY story:

"Chief Jeff Skorik gave another update Tuesday afternoon.
He told reporters the situation likely started at about 1:30 p.m Monday. He says the first shots were fired sometime after that point."

Why have I not heard any reporters asking why they waited until 3:48 to notify LE of this situation?

I work at a Jr.High school, and if a class period ended and no one left my classroom, people would notice right away. How on earth did this go unnoticed by any students or staff outside of that room? Did school officials know something was up and try to handle it in-house?

I saw an interview with the principal today. He said the gunman put a note on the door telling the 7th period class to meet in the library. (or the gym, I can't remember) When class got out someone mentioned not seeing the teacher or some of the kids from that class. The principal got his key, and let himself into the classroom.
The gunman told him to leave. He left, and contacted the police.

 

[MarthaM]

I watched the news conference this afternoon, because the local stations carried the whole thing live. The principal said that he went to the room when a parent was looking for his or her daughter who wasn't answering her cell phone. When he walked into the room, he saw what was going on and he was told to leave (by the gunman, I presume), which he did and then he called 911.

I don't remember him being asked why the staff in the library didn't question why an entire class was there for 7th period or anything. If he did address that, I missed that part.

Also from what I heard, those elsewhere who heard that first shot (which wasn't fired at a person) thought they heard a door slamming loudly. In other words, it seems that no one reported hearing the shot. Only later did some realize that what they thought was a loud bang of a door slamming was probably a gunshot.

I don't think there was any attempt at a cover-up or to try and handle it 'in house'. There apparently just wasn't anything that sent up any red flags until the principal went to the room to look for the student whose parents were trying to find her.

To me, this sounds like a troubled, depressed student who put up such a good front that his friends and family had no idea what his real feelings about life were. Perhaps he was suicidal and thought that if he did this, then the police would end his life for him rather than having to do it himself. As it ended up, the police entering the room may have just given him the opportunity to actually go through with it. That's just speculation on my part, but from what those in the room (so far) have said, it doesn't sound like he intented to hurt anyone but himself.

This whole thing is just so sad to me, and I think it falls in a completely different category from most school shootings.

Sorry for such a long post from a newbie.

 

[angelmom]

This story feels like a punch in the gut.

I have 2 sons, 14 and 15, and it just scares the heck out of me. The thought that they could be held hostage...or the thought that they could be so depressed and no one notice. It terrifies me.

I feel so badly for this family. I hope they get some support in the community as they grieve, even though I'm sure people are angry and upset. I cannot imagine losing a child AND not having any emotional support.

Prayers for everyone involved, and gratitude that this boy had it in him not to hurt anyone else (physically).

 

[LaWanda]

Someone already has a FB page up that says "RIP Sam Hengel" but the picture is all graphittied (spelling??). If you can see through the drawing, he looks like such a cute, normal kid.

Prayers for his family through this tragedy.

 

[Tuffy]

I watched the news conference this afternoon, because the local stations carried the whole thing live. The principal said that he went to the room when a parent was looking for his or her daughter who wasn't answering her cell phone. When he walked into the room, he saw what was going on and he was told to leave (by the gunman, I presume), which he did and then he called 911.

I don't remember him being asked why the staff in the library didn't question why an entire class was there for 7th period or anything. If he did address that, I missed that part.

As a teacher, sometimes something so ordinary doesn't cause you to question it. Perhaps this class was in the library regularly. It sounds like the boy put the note there like he had seen it done before.
Sometimes when we had teachers out, we would just stick a note on the door directing students to another classroom or the cafeteria.

Also from what I heard, those elsewhere who heard that first shot (which wasn't fired at a person) (I think they said he shot the projector. They were watching a movie in class.) thought they heard a door slamming loudly. In other words, it seems that no one reported hearing the shot. Only later did some realize that what they thought was a loud bang of a door slamming was probably a gunshot.

That makes sense. If I heard a loud bang at school, I would think slamming door, someone dropping something, not gunshot!

I don't think there was any attempt at a cover-up or to try and handle it 'in house'. There apparently just wasn't anything that sent up any red flags until the principal went to the room to look for the student whose parents were trying to find her.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to handle a gunman with hostages "in-house." I would really question the sanity of the person who did. The principal looked shaken up when I saw him, but definitely not insane.

To me, this sounds like a troubled, depressed student who put up such a good front that his friends and family had no idea what his real feelings about life were. Perhaps he was suicidal and thought that if he did this, then the police would end his life for him rather than having to do it himself. As it ended up, the police entering the room may have just given him the opportunity to actually go through with it. That's just speculation on my part, but from what those in the room (so far) have said, it doesn't sound like he intented to hurt anyone but himself.

This whole thing is just so sad to me, and I think it falls in a completely different category from most school shootings.

Couldn't agree more. Instead of outrage at the gunman, I just feel sad.

Sorry for such a long post from a newbie.

My response is bolded.

Excellent post. I am glad you posted the whole thing. I only caught part of the interview with the principal, and didn't quite remember all the details.

 

[Tuffy]

This story feels like a punch in the gut.

I have 2 sons, 14 and 15, and it just scares the heck out of me. The thought that they could be held hostage...or the thought that they could be so depressed and no one notice. It terrifies me.

I feel so badly for this family. I hope they get some support in the community as they grieve, even though I'm sure people are angry and upset. I cannot imagine losing a child AND not having any emotional support.

Prayers for everyone involved, and gratitude that this boy had it in him not to hurt anyone else (physically).

I feel the same way. This case is really getting to me too. My daughter is in high school. I am glad that he didn't shoot anyone else, but can't help but think about the trauma that those kids and the teacher went through. They were held for a long time, probably very scared. Then to watch as this kid took his own life in such a horrific way, right in front of their eyes.

 

[concentric]

So are semi-automics used by hunters quite a bit?

 

[MarthaM]

I get the impression from what I've seen on the local news over the past couple of days that this is not going to be one of those situations in which there is a lot of anger directed toward the gunman. People seem to be saddened more than anything else, that this kid was obviously suffering in some way and no one knew it. I think this student will be mourned in a way that we haven't seen in other school shootings, simply because of how different this event was. They're having a vigil late this afternoon, and I would think much of it will be about remembering the student and learning lessons from this.

 

[Tuffy]

So are semi-automics used by hunters quite a bit?

Short answer, yes. Long answer, it depends. Hunters use a wide variety of guns for hunting, and many guns are available in the semi-auto form.

 

[RLynne]

http://www.jsonline.com/news/crime/111141749.html

Samuel O. Hengel was armed with more than 200 bullets when he took his Marinette High School classmates hostage, authorities said Wednesday.

...

Investigators continue to talk to the hostages and other students who knew Hengel in the hopes of determining why he took his class hostage for more than six hours.

"So far they have not found a motive," Frank said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.

 

[RLynne]

So are semi-automics used by hunters quite a bit?

I was going to say that you can't hunt with handguns in Wisconsin, but then I checked--and yup, you can. It's illegal for anyone under 18, though.

Hunting is big in Wisconsin. I know lots of hunters, but don't know of any that use handguns.


http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/regs/Deer10regs16-19.pdf

 

[Missizzy]

I've watched this thread and waited to read about some rationale, some stressor for this boy and have seen none reported. I've always wondered if those closest to a person like this can honestly and fervently say that they "didn't see it coming". Of course neighbors and teachers can miss things. Bright kids and adults can be socially savvy and cover up a world of hurts. But typically, there is a parent, a sibling, or a dear friend who has been worrying for a long long time.

When our children have attempted suicide, I've never been surprised. Some of their methods have shocked me but not their intent. I was always very emotionally attuned to our kids and I knew when something was brewing. Even when our adult son attempted after losing his baby daughter not long after birth, I wasn't surprised. In some ways, it made perfect sense. I had the strangest feeling that something was coming. When our teen daughter (not one of the rape victims) attempted, not long after the trial, I'd felt something coming. I don't think I could ever look a LEO or a reporter in the eye and say, "I sensed nothing." Thankfully, out of probably 30 serious attempts, no one has been successful. My dear ones are still with us. While they have deep wounds, they have moved on. But I'm always on edge, listening and waiting.

I'm grasping at straws. I know that. All parents and loved ones want to think that they will "know". Maybe we will. Possibly we won't.

My heart breaks for everyone involved in this tragedy. May they all find peace and solace.

 

[LadyL]

two pics of Sam here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-504083_162-10005708.html?tag=page

 

[Lyn1001]

I think with this case there are questions we'll never know the answers to. It's heartbreaking. I agree he didn't seem to want to hurt the hostages, but I wonder why he brought so much ammo.

 

[Tuffy]

I think with this case there are questions we'll never know the answers to. It's heartbreaking. I agree he didn't seem to want to hurt the hostages, but I wonder why he brought so much ammo.

I think he thought about it. He may have envisioned having to hold off people who would try to stop him, or actually shooting randomly. If he did, it seems he realized he couldn't do that. Probably being face to face with the other students who tried to help him, made him realize he didn't want to hurt anyone.

 

[Lyn1001]

I think he thought about it. He may have envisioned having to hold off people who would try to stop him, or actually shooting randomly. If he did, it seems he realized he couldn't do that. Probably being face to face with the other students who tried to help him, made him realize he didn't want to hurt anyone.

That makes sense. I kind of get this picture of a normally sweet kid, who for whatever reason, wanted to "go off" or make a statement. But he just didn't have the heart, or actually had too much heart, to do it. Which seems to make it all the more tragic and sad.