After an much investigation for the case, police release the details of the crime, stating that Reyes's behavior was the effect depression, bullying, and the feeling of inadequacy at home. Jose Reyes had planned to kill himself that day. Even after the extensive search of information and interviewing of important bystanders, police still aren't quite sure why this seventh grader thought the only way out of his situation was to take his parent's 9mm Ruger pistol and empty the two ammunition-filled magazines at his school that morning.
When Jose Reyes started this tragic retaliation on his schoolmates, math teacher and former marine Michael Lansberry tried to stop the dispute from getting violent. This, unfortunately, did not have a good outcome. Landsberry was severely wounded and killed shortly before Reyes took his own life. During this rampage, one nearby student was shot in his stomach, and another victim was also wounded.
Interviews with Reyes's parents, classmates, teachers, as well as the paintings and search history on his electrical devices display where some of his hatred and frustration stemmed from. A trip to the psychotherapist only three days prior to the incident retold stories of mockery and torment targeting Jose throughout his life, exposing deep emotional scars. When searching through his phone, police also found signs of premeditation, such as photos of the columbine shooters and searches for columbine-based video games.
Just before the event, Reyes wrote two suicide notes, one for his parents and one to the teachers and students of Sparks Middle School. In his parent's note, he states that the event occurred not because of anyone else, but because of his ongoing internal conflict In the other note, however, he states that he will make the students and teachers pay for the pain they've caused him. “If you hate me and my family doesn’t love me it’s okay. I know that I’m just an idiot. But I love you and I wish the past would be good and better someday", he states after calling himself a monster (AssociatedPress).
Though Reyes's parents were almost charged for 'allowing the gun to be accessible to the boy', they were relieved to discover they were not charged at all. They supposedly did not know he was aware of the gun. The cops still do not know who to blame and what his real motive was. “We will never know the complete motive or intent behind this tragic incident as the only person with the true knowledge felt acting out in violence and taking his own life was the best course of action,” police said. “That in itself is a tragedy (AssociatedPress).
This relates to what we're are doing at school because for the talent show, I was thinking about doing some spoken word about bullying and the struggles some people face. This also goes along with the suicide awareness we were doing a while back. Being go through this almost everyday around the world, and shootings and violent rampages could be prevented if we just stop judging people and show kindness towards one another.
I feel that this was a sad, traumatic event for everyone in that situation, and it definitely could have been prevented in some way. if he was shown some compassion and friendliness, he might not have felt so strongly about the people involved with his school life. This does effect me in some ways, because sometimes I worry about some of my friends, such as every decent friend should. Things can be overwhelming for everyone, but you just have to make sure you are there for people in need. You might just save lives.
The authors support their claim by adding quotes by the very policemen and bystanders who are involved with this event. Many people, including his parents, explain Jose's traumatic events prior to the rampage, reciting his suicide note to them. It said "If you hate me and my family doesn't love me it’s okay. I know that I’m just an idiot. But I love you and I wish the past would be good and better someday" (AssociatedPress). The police officers and investigators also describe the troubling interests Jose had such as "Super Columbine Massacre Role Playing [and] violent themed first-person shooter type games” (AssociatedPress).
Press, Associated. "Nevada school shooter left 2 suicide notes." Channel One News. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 12 May 2014. Web. 12 May 2014.
"Nevada School Superintendent Says There Is No Evidence The Middle School Shooter Was Bullied." Fox News Latino. Fox News, 10 November 2014. Web. 12 May 2014.
"Jose Reyes Identified As Sparks Middle School Shooter By Spokesman." Wn. Wn, 25 October 2013. Web. 14 May 2014.
"Sparks Middle School shooter identified as 12-year-old Jose Reyes." Las Vegas World News. Las Vegas World News, 25 October 2014. Web. 12 May 2014.
"Gun used in Nevada teacher killing wasn't locked away: Shooter's parents." NY Daily News. NY Daily News, 07 November 2013. Web. 12 May 2014.
