Authorities Search for Motive In Sixth Grader’s Shooting Rampage
The investigation into the Idaho school shooting at Rigby Middle School is ongoing as authorities continue searching for a motive behind a sixth grader’s shooting rampage. On Thursday at around 9:15 am, authorities were called to the middle school after teachers and students heard gunshots ring out on the school campus.
When the authorities arrived on the scene, they were met with a sixth-grade female student who was being restrained by a female teacher. That teacher was later identified as an eighth-grade math teacher, Krista Gneiting. Authorities explained that the sixth-grader arrived at the school where she pulled out a handgun from her backpack and shot at students both inside and outside of the school. During her rampage which spanned about five minutes, the sixth-grader shot two students and one adult. All three were taken to a local hospital after having suffered injuries from being shot in the extremities.
The adult who was shot was quickly identified as the school’s janitor, Jim Wilson. Both Wilson and Gneiting have been hailed as heroes for the role they played in protecting students. Reports indicated that Gneiting was able to gently disarm the sixth-grader while they waited for authorities to arrive on the scene, and Wilson stood in the way of other students to keep them from getting hit.
In a Facebook post, Gneiting addressed the outpouring of support, "My heart is touched by all the incredible outpouring of love I've received," she wrote. "All of the staff at Rigby did their part and kept our wonderful children safe! Thank you! I love you all and we will get through this together."
Wilson’s family also shared a statement with USA Today that read in part, "We would like to take the time to thank the first responders for their quick response, Mrs. Gneiting for her bravery and fast actions, and the school staff for following their training."
In a press conference, Dr. Michael Lemon, a trauma medical director at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, shared with the public, “The fact the injuries are as insignificant as they are, they could be so much worse, so we feel absolutely blessed.” GoFundMe accounts have been started for Gneiting, Wilson, and the two students who were shot.
Idaho Governor Brad Little also shared in a statement, “I am praying for the lives and safety of those involved in today’s tragic events. Thank you to our law enforcement agencies and school leaders for their efforts in responding to the incident.”
At the start of this year, Idaho Rep. Chad Christensen rallied for legislation that would give school employees who have concealed weapons permits the right to carry on school property. The bill passed the House but died in the Senate committee. Shortly after the shooting, Christensen took to Facebook where he vocalized his anger after the Rigby Middle School shooting. He shared, “For all of those that have stood in the way of my school carry bill, shame on you. You know who you are!”
Christensen was quick to receive backlash from the state’s chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, two groups that advocate for gun control. A volunteer from Idaho Moms Demand Action, Theresa Kaufmann, shared, “The idea that we should be bringing more guns into our schools after what happened today is ridiculous.” Kaufmann adds, “We need our lawmakers to stop putting children, teachers and the entire state in danger by weakening our already weak gun laws.”
The attack has rocked the small community along with the nation because of the unexpected nature of the shooting. According to the Violence Project, a group that tracks mass shootings, middle schools account for only 18% of school shootings. The sixth-grader also deviates from the typical profile of a mass shooter because she is a female. The Violence Project highlights that females make up roughly 2% of mass shooters. Data compiled on mass shootings show that there have been 146 mass shootings since 1980, and only three of those cases were carried out by females.
Authorities have released little information about the investigation but have shared that they were investigating the motive behind the student’s attack as well as where she was able to obtain the gun from. Jefferson County Prosecutor Mark Taylor offered very little information to the public as well but has shared that the sixth-grader might face charges including three counts of attempted murder.
