An editorial from The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Nestled in the hills of West Virginia, there are times when we feel immune to what happens elsewhere in the nation and the world.
Because of our strong sense of community, we feel secure: Here in West Virginia? Never!
That is, until Tuesday.
In bucolic Barbour County, population 16,770, at Philip Barbour High School, which has about 750 students, 29 students and a teacher were held hostage at gunpoint by another student.
The boy with the gun is 14 years old. Yes, 14 years old.
Thankfully, because of the efforts of two teachers, law enforcement and other professionals, the standoff ended peacefully.
The student with the gun allowed his fellow students and the teacher to leave the room, and eventually surrender to authorities.
What prompted the episode and how the gun got into the school remain to be determined…