Orlando Harris is dead after reportedly showing up to his alma mater, Central Visual and Performing Arts High School (CVPA), and opening fire on students and staff in St. Louis on Monday.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the 19-year-old teen showed up with an automatic rifle and went on a shooting rampage. Before opening fire and killing phys ed teacher Jean Kuczka and 16-year-old CVPA student Alexzandria Bell, he reportedly warned, “You are all going to die!”
Kuczka reportedly was killed after when she used her body as a shield between Harris and students when he entered her classroom.
“My mom loved kids,” Abbey Kuczka told the publication. “She loved her students. I know her students looked at her like she was their mom.”
Bell was shot in the hallway and died at the scene.
Harris also shot and wounded seven 15- and 16-year-old CVPA students, four boys and three girls, before St. Louis police killed him. They were reportedly recovering and were in stable condition.
One 16-year-old student, Taniya Gholston, escaped the shooter’s terrifying wrath when his gun jammed.
“All I heard was two shots, and he came in there with a gun. I was trying to run, and I couldn’t run. Me and him made eye contact, but I made it out because his gun got jammed,” Gholston said.
St. Louis Police Chief Michael Sack told reporters that Harris was a CVPA graduate. He reportedly fired over 600 rounds at the school before the deadly rampage ended.
About how Harris entered the school that reportedly had seven security guards and locked doors with metal detectors onsite, Sack said, “If there’s somebody who has a will, they’re going to figure out, we don’t want to make it easy for them. We just got to do the best we can to extend that time it takes them to get into the building to buy us time to respond.”
One security guard called the police after he noticed Harris trying to enter one of the locked doors.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones issued a statement regarding the tragic incident.
“Read my full statement below regarding the heartbreaking school shooting at @CentralVPA this morning. Our schools and other places of learning should be safe – period. The gun violence epidemic facing our students, teachers, and staff is a public health crisis.”
Read my full statement below regarding the heartbreaking school shooting at @CentralVPA this morning.
Our schools and other places of learning should be safe – period. The gun violence epidemic facing our students, teachers, and staff is a public health crisis. pic.twitter.com/lIj9cU1Luy
— Mayor Tishaura O. Jones (@saintlouismayor)<ahref=”https://twitter.com/saintlouismayor/status/1584627314683322368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>October 24, 2022
Even President Joe Biden expressed his condolences and demanded action to ban assault rifles.
“Jill and I are thinking of everyone impacted by the senseless shooting in St. Louis – especially those killed and injured, their families, and the first responders. As we mourn with Central Visual and Performing Arts, we must take action – starting by banning assault weapons.”
Jill and I are thinking of everyone impacted by the senseless shooting in St. Louis – especially those killed and injured, their families, and the first responders.
As we mourn with Central Visual and Performing Arts, we must take action – starting by banning assault weapons.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 25, 2022
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Harris had written a note calling his rampage the “perfect storm.” Police found it in the car he had driven to CVPA.
“I don’t have any friends, I don’t have any family,” the letter read. “I’ve never had a girlfriend. I’ve never had a social life. I’ve been an isolated loner my entire life. This was the perfect storm for a mass shooter.”
The publication also reported that there were concerns regarding Harris’ mental health from his family. Earlier this month, another incident occurred where the legally-registered firearm was taken from him after a domestic disturbance.
