Student Takes Gun, Explosives to School, Commits Suicide

On Tuesday, a 17-year old honor student at Canandaigua Academy in New York, walked into the school with a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition and two explosive devices. Putting the ammo and explosives in his locker, he then committed suicide.

Canandaigua, N.Y. - Yesterday morning, a 17-year old honor student was found dead in a men's bathroom close to the gym about 10:48 a.m. by two students. The teen had died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say that the teen used a sawed-off shotgun, and they found most of the 30 rounds of ammunition in the teen's locker. Also found in the locker were two improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. According to Canandaigua Police Chief Jon Welch, the IEDs were Molotov cocktails. It is unknown how the teen got these items into school, and security footage is being reviewed to hopefully find the answer. Canandaigua Academy does not have metal detectors, and students are not searched as they come into the school. Welch said that there was no indication of any plans to hurt anyone else. Police, using K9s, searched the school and grounds for any other 'devices' as a precaution, but nothing more was found. Once the deceased teen was found, the school went into lock-down. Students were told to stay in their classrooms and assured that they were in no danger. At about 11:30, students were moved to the middle school and as they exited the school, each student was patted down by an officer. From the middle school, the students were then dismissed to go home. One student, Freshman Hannah Strait said that was a lot of confusion as to what was happening.

"We thought it might be like swine flu or a drug thing," said Hannah, who was in the lunchroom at the time. "So we all started panicking. We really don't know what's going on. They just said students aren't in danger at this point."

District Superintendent Don Raw said at an evening press conference, "The next few days will be challenging days." He went on to say that no suicide note had been found. As well, he made it clear that this was not an assault on the school. At this time, it's unknown as to what the student's state of mind was like, and as the investigation continues, his family and friends certainly will be questioned. It is anticipated that grief counselors will be available if students need to speak to one. Raw said he did know what led to today's tragic event, adding, “We don’t have all the answers.”