Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 2, 1990 TAG: 9005020615
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/2 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SHERIDAN, ARK. LENGTH: Medium
Counselors were assigned to every classroom at Sheridan High School today after a 17-year-old was found dead of a gunshot wound Tuesday.
On Monday, two of his classmates shot themselves to death. One of them killed himself in front of a history class after professing his love for a girl.
Scott Stamper, 16, said the latest suicide shook up most students. "People who didn't even know him were crying. It was quiet. I walked in school today and saw zombies," he said.
"It's going to be a tough day. I can't tell you how tough it's been," school Superintendent David Robinson said.
The body of the latest victim, Jerry Paul McCool, a 17-year-old sophomore, was discovered in his home by his father. Saline County Coroner Sam Ballard ruled the death a suicide.
Hours later, parents and students packed the school's 1,000-seat auditorium to discuss the suicides. Some held hands. Some cried.
Robinson said school would go on because routine is important "when things begin to crumble. They need something to hang on to."
In addition to calling in counselors, school officials also handed out a list of phone numbers for nearly three dozen counselors and faculty members on call around the clock.
"Our community and our school is just in the middle of a tremendous tragedy that we're all trying to deal with and get a handle on and improve," Robinson said.
McCool's death was the fourth suicide in little more than a month by high school students in the community of about 3,000, about 25 miles south of Little Rock. A 17-year-old killed himself March 28, authorities said.
"It's just too much for a town like this. This is something you hear about in a big city," said Ethel Sanders, a police clerk.
Police said the two students who died Monday had at least one class together and had been friends for years. Thomas Smith, 17, shot himself after declaring his love for a girl. Thomas Chidester, 19, was killed by a shot to the head late Monday.
Lt. Lenard Lewis said McCool knew the other boys but was not in any of their classes. He had spoken with his father about the boys' suicides.
"His dad said he said something like, `How could somebody do that? Why would they do it?' " Lewis said.
McCool had stayed home from school Tuesday, complaining of pain from a hernia operation two weeks ago, Lewis said. The boy was at school Monday when Smith killed himself but wasn't in the classroom where the shooting occurred.
Sheriff Cary Clark said the deaths of Chidester and Smith appeared connected. Both teen-agers participated in the school's junior Reserve Officers Trainer Corps and were classmates for several years.
Chidester's body was found Tuesday by his grandmother, who lived with him. He apparently died Monday night, leaving a note that read, "I can't go on any longer," Clark said.
The grandmother told police that Chidester was upset that he couldn't get to Smith after the shooting. Police and teachers held him back, Clark said.
"It's not a police problem. It's not a school problem. It's a community problem," said Police Chief David Hooks, "and we've all got to stick together."
by CNB