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2013 Sparks Middle School shooting

Coordinates: 39°33′6″N 119°46′6″W / 39.55167°N 119.76833°W / 39.55167; -119.76833
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2013 Sparks Middle School shooting
LocationSparks Middle School, Sparks, Nevada, US
Coordinates39°33′6″N 119°46′6″W / 39.55167°N 119.76833°W / 39.55167; -119.76833
DateOctober 21, 2013 (2013-10-21)
Attack type
School shooting, murder–suicide
WeaponsRuger SR9C 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun[1]
Deaths2 (Landsberry and the perpetrator)
Injured2
PerpetratorJose Reyes
DefenderMichael Landsberry
MotiveBullying and mental illness

The Sparks Middle School shooting occurred in Sparks, Nevada, United States, on October 21, 2013. Two people, including the perpetrator, were killed, and two others were injured. Sparks Middle School is part of the Washoe County School District.[2]

Shooting

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List of victims
Killed:

Wounded:

  • K.J. Kersey, 12, student
  • Mason Davis, 12, student

On October 21, 2013, Jose Reyes, a 12-year-old student in seventh grade, opened fire with a handgun at the basketball courts of Sparks Middle School. He injured a 12-year-old student, KJ Kersey, in the shoulder. Michael Landsberry, a 45-year-old math teacher who was trying to intervene with Reyes, was shot and killed in the playground. Reyes proceeded to fire two shots at teacher Mr. Perez, missing both, and then shot and wounded a 12-year-old student, Mason Davis, who tried to come to Landsberry's assistance. Davis suffered an injury to his abdomen. Reyes then committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. He had two magazines, one with 17 rounds, and another with 10 rounds, although neither were filled to capacity.[3] shooting happened before classes, and the school was evacuated and was closed for the week.[4][5][6][7] Details of the shooting emerged in the report issued the following spring.[8][9]

Perpetrator

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Jose Horacio Reyes (July 2, 2001 – October 21, 2013), was born in Reno, Nevada, to parents from Mexico. He had two younger sisters, and grew up partially in Arizona where his father found a construction job, but later moved with his family back to Nevada. Reyes's parents owned a restaurant in Sparks. In early 2012, Reyes's father was charged with and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child abuse for an incident involving his son. Reyes left two suicide notes claiming he was bullied, and had taken the antidepressant Prozac and an antipsychotic drug.[10]

Aftermath

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The incident has been a continuing subject of public concern and discussion.[11][12][13] In November 2015, Hillary Clinton discussed the shooting at Sparks during her campaign for the presidency, as part of her campaign for gun control.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Staff reports (May 13, 2014). "Police: Sparks Middle School shooter said he was teased". Reno Gazette-Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  2. ^ "Schools Directory - Detail Page".
  3. ^ Staff report. "Sparks Middle School shooting: Text of police statement". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Nevada school shooting: Teacher killed, two students wounded". CNN. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  5. ^ "Day 1 updates from the Sparks Middle School shooting". RGJ.com. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Two Dead and Two Injured in Shooting at Sparks Middle School". Washoe County School District. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  7. ^ "Nevada school shooting: Teacher killed, two students wounded". CNN. October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  8. ^ McAndrew, Siobhan (May 14, 2014). "Chilling details, no motive in Nev. school shooting". USA Today. Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  9. ^ Staff reports. "Sparks Middle School shooting: report highlights". Reno Gazette Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  10. ^ "Sparks school shooting". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  11. ^ Harris, Paul (December 2, 2015). "Police Warn Public To Be Prepared During Active Shooter Situations". ABC News. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  12. ^ "Community marks 2 years since deadly Sparks Middle School shooting". News 4. October 21, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  13. ^ "Wife of Teacher Slain in Sparks School Shooting Receives Settlement". CBS News. AP. August 12, 2015. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  14. ^ Ritchey, Julie (November 23, 2015). "Clinton Cites Sparks Middle Shooting In Push For Gun Control". KUNR. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
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