In case you missed Tuesday’s post, a 15-year-old student was shot by another 15-year-old student at Watson Chapel Junior High in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. At the time of my initial post, the victim had been taken to a hospital in Little Rock and was said to be in critical condition. Sadly, Daylon Burnett succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday.
Arkansas Online has identified the suspect as Thomas Quarles. No motive has been given, although Pine Bluff police said that the victim was targeted in the shooting. The suspect is being held on a $1 million bond.
The students were already back at school on Thursday after Monday’s shooting. To the students’ credit, they peacefully protested about conditions they feel need to be met at the school. Many of these demands dealt with access to mental health professionals and better security in the school. Unfortunately, Pine Bluff is a financially disadvantaged area. The schools can probably only afford what the tax base is paying, and from what I understand, that’s not a lot. Let’s hear it for economic inequality. God forbid some people who could afford it pay a little extra in taxes so we can all have safer schools.
Speaking of safer schools, I still haven’t seen any reports about where the shooter obtained the gun. No 15-year-old should ever be carrying a gun around town and any adult who allowed that to happen should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Sadly, any laws regarding such actions don’t have a lot of extent to them.
And again to all the media outlets out there, there’s no law requiring you to run the fucking “School Violence Fast Facts” article every time a student is murdered by a coward with a gun. Every sane person in this country realizes that there is a gun problem in our schools. You can’t reach the insane ones. Stop publishing these articles like they’re a goddamn high score list or the school shooting questions at bar trivia night. It cheapens every life lost to this craven scourge.
My heart breaks for Daylon Burnett’s family. They have a GoFundMe that was set up for his medical expenses, but the funds are now going to what his family is calling his going away party. The goal has already been broken, but there’s nothing stopping us from donating more. Maybe we can show the residents of Pine Bluff that there are people out there who care.
- (Other Sources)
- Student shot in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, school shooting has died
- Boy shot at Arkansas junior high dies
- Watson Chapel students peacefully protest against school administrators
Thanks to Lady Gray for the tip.
Real Crime with Trench Reynolds 