Thursday, December 19, 2013

U.S. shooting victim 'sweet, smart'

Claire Davis, a 17-year-old senior, was identified by Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson as the girl who was critically wounded Friday, December 13, in a shooting at Arapahoe High School. A student who carried a shotgun into the school in Centennial, Colorado, and asked where to find a specific teacher. The student then opened fire before apparently killing himself, Robinson said. Claire Davis, a 17-year-old senior, was identified by Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson as the girl who was critically wounded Friday, December 13, in a shooting at Arapahoe High School. A student who carried a shotgun into the school in Centennial, Colorado, and asked where to find a specific teacher. The student then opened fire before apparently killing himself, Robinson said.
Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson holds a picture of Davis at a press conference on Saturday, December 14, after identifying her as the victim of the shooting at Arapahoe High School the day before. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson holds a picture of Davis at a press conference on Saturday, December 14, after identifying her as the victim of the shooting at Arapahoe High School the day before.
Robinson identified the shooter as 18-year-old Karl Halverson Pierson.Robinson identified the shooter as 18-year-old Karl Halverson Pierson.
Students are escorted out of Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, on Friday, December 13. Students are escorted out of Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, on Friday, December 13.
Students wait outside Arapahoe High school after being evacuated on December 13. Students wait outside Arapahoe High school after being evacuated on December 13.
Officers escort students out of Arapahoe High School.Officers escort students out of Arapahoe High School.
Susie Ohle hugs Rob Escue as he came out of the school on Friday afternoon.Susie Ohle hugs Rob Escue as he came out of the school on Friday afternoon.
Ruben Allen hugs his son Alex Allen, 17, after being evacuated from the school Ruben Allen hugs his son Alex Allen, 17, after being evacuated from the school
Students and parents walk away from the school.Students and parents walk away from the school.
Law enforcement personnel arrive at the high school in a military-style vehicle. Law enforcement personnel arrive at the high school in a military-style vehicle.
SaSha Meiler is overcome with emotion after hearing the voice of her younger sister, a freshman.SaSha Meiler is overcome with emotion after hearing the voice of her younger sister, a freshman.
Parents Cathy Thorson, left, and Heather Moran, facing the camera, embrace while they wait for news on their children.Parents Cathy Thorson, left, and Heather Moran, facing the camera, embrace while they wait for news on their children.
Students walk away from the school in single file with their hands up.Students walk away from the school in single file with their hands up.
Students from Arapahoe High School gather at the school's track.Students from Arapahoe High School gather at the school's track.
People gather outside the school.People gather outside the school.
Parents wait for word about their children after a gunman opened fire at the school.Parents wait for word about their children after a gunman opened fire at the school.
Members of law enforcement are seen outside the school.Members of law enforcement are seen outside the school.
Law enforcement personnel gather near the high school. Law enforcement personnel gather near the high school.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
  • NEW: Gunman's family offers prayers for surviving victim
  • Claire Davis is stable, but in a coma, her family says
  • The horse-loving senior "wouldn't hurt a fly," classmates say
  • Davis didn't know the student who shot her in the head, police say

(CNN) -- Friends of Claire Davis, the 17-year-old senior critically wounded in Friday's shooting at a Colorado high school, are wondering why bad things happen to good people.

Davis is in a struggle for her life at a hospital in Littleton, near Arapahoe High School, where a classmate shot her in the head.

She remained in critical condition Sunday.

"She is stable, but is in a coma. The first responders got Claire to the right place, at the right time, and the doctors and hospital staff are doing a wonderful job taking care of her," her family said in a statement.

"We appreciate your continued good thoughts and prayers, and will provide updates as her condition improves."

Among those praying for Davis is the family of Karl Pierson, the 18-year-old senior who police say shot her. In a statement released Monday afternoon, Barbara and Mark Pierson said Davis and her family "have suffered unimaginably, and we pray for her full recovery."

"As parents, we loved our son Karl dearly and we are devastated by what happened Friday. We cannot begin to understand why Karl did what he did," the Piersons said. They also offered prayers "for the entire Arapahoe High School community, as we know your lives are forever changed by this horrific event."

Lessons of Columbine and other school shootings helped in Arapahoe

Student: We hid in the dark and waited
Shooting 911 call: 'One student down'

Police say Pierson was looking for revenge against a librarian, but couldn't find the faculty member and killed himself as a school resource officer closed in. Davis was just a random victim, police surmised, and the gunman and victim didn't even know each other.

Davis' classmates spoke well of her. They used words like spunky and bright.

"She was just a very sweet girl. She's really smart," August Clary told CNN affiliate KUSA. He said Davis loves to ride horses and "wouldn't hurt a fly."

Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Davis on Saturday night.

Katie Snively, a senior at Arapahoe, said it was important to honor and pray for Claire.

Many people were tweeting to the hashtag #prayforclaire.

"Claire is a hero. our hero. she deserves to be rewarded not only with thanks, but with another chance at life," Aidan Loughran wrote.

"Thank God for waking us up again and for keeping Claire through the night. Don't forget to pray as we wake up this morning," Jonathon Bailey tweeted Sunday.

Davis' father told CNN affiliate KMGH late Saturday that his daughter is "not doing very well." The station said doctors are worried about swelling to her brain, according to a family friend.

School gunman acted 'weird' at times

CNN's Casey Wian contributed to this report.

Share This!


No comments:

Post a Comment

Powered By Blogger · Designed By Elle News post