The death toll in the Ohio high school shooting has now climbed to three as a third victim passed away earlier this morning. Russell King Jr. and Demetrius Hewlin passed away within hours of each other following the shooting at Chardon High School, which is 30 miles away from Cleveland.
“We are very saddened by the loss of our son and others in our Chardon community,” Hewlin’s family said in a statement. “Demetrius was a happy young man who loved life and his family and friends. We will miss him very much but we are proud that he will be able to help others through organ donation. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
The first victim to pass away from gunshot wounds was Daniel Parmertor, who died hours after being shot by the gunman, T.J. Lane. Lane is expected to appear in court sometime this afternoon. Two other victims remain in the hospital as they recover from their injuries.
One student, Nate Mueller, described Lane as “a quiet kid. Freshman year he got into a ‘goth’ phase and didn’t talk to that many people anymore. He never egged anybody on. He just went about his business.”
Lane has also been described by classmates as an outcast and possibly someone who had been bullied. On his Facebook page in December, Lane posted the following poem:
“He longed for only one thing, the world to bow at his feet. Die, all of you.”
Then there were others in the class who said Lane was not bullied and who had friends.
“He had friends. He was quiet,” Tyler Lillash said. “From what I heard he posted some pictures on Twitter of, like, some dude holding guns. But other than that I don’t really know. I don’t think he was bullied, though.”
Lexi Joy said she passed Lane in the hallway prior to the shooting and smiled at each other like they normally do. She did not think Lane seemed different at all.
“He didn’t seem any different. He seemed just like he’d be on a normal day,” Joy said. “He didn’t show any expression on his face. He was just TJ.”
Robert N. Farinacci is the attorney representing Lane. Farinacci released the following statement about the incident:
“The family is devastated by this recent event. They want to express their most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of the young man who passed and their continuing prayers are with all those who were injured,” Farinacci wrote. “TJ’s family has asked for some privacy while they try to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred and while they mourn this terrible loss for their community.”