Orlando Harris’ family requests seizure of assault rifle before Missouri school shooting

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Orlando Harris’ family pleaded with Missouri police to seize the 19-year-old’s bulletproof vest, ammunition and AR-15-style rifle. They knew his mental health was fragile after multiple suicide attempts. But the best police officers could make it in a state where the most happened. broad gun rights I suggest Harris keep the gun in a warehouse.

Nine days later Harris returned to the old St. He walked into a St. Louis high school and said, “You’re all going to die.”

A new 456-page police report details Harris’ efforts to take his family’s gun away from him in the days before he entered Central High School for Visual and Performing Arts on Oct. 24, 2022. Killed a student and teacher, injured seven others before being fatally shot by police.

Missouri is not among the 21 states with red flag laws. Red flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders, are intended to restrict gun purchases or temporarily remove guns from people who might harm themselves or someone else.

The case highlights how difficult it is for law enforcement to restrict gun access even when there are clues that something is deeply wrong.

after a while Army reservist kills 18 people October 2023 in Lewiston, Maine investigation He found missed opportunities to intervene in the attacker’s psychiatric crisis. And before a 14-year-old boy is accused Deadly shooting at Georgia high school this fallan MP spoke to him about an online threat and his family warned of a threat “Extreme emergency.”

investigation The report in Harris’ case shows that her first suicide attempt occurred in the fall of 2021, just before she left for college. Pandemic disruptions, a friend’s arrest in a murder and a car crash may have contributed to the depression, his family and his former boss told investigators.

The police report does not mention that he went to college. Instead, he worked in the cafeteria of a high-end facility and sometimes argued with co-workers about guns.

The following August, he met with a psychiatry resident at the University of Washington and told her that he was considering shooting people at his old school. He said these thoughts only lasted one evening and were gone, he had no plans and didn’t want to.

But shortly thereafter, Harris began counting down the shooting rampage. Their plan included detailed maps of the school and a plan targeting teachers, students and the LGBTQ community. He also had plans to burn down his family’s house with him inside.

The psychiatrist prescribed medications, but Harris did not fill the prescriptions. The report states that they developed an emergency plan.

The University of Washington did not immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Harris then stopped coming to appointments.

On October 8, St. Charles attempted to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer in Missouri, but the transaction was unsuccessful. blocked With an FBI background check. The report does not explain why, and police did not respond to an email from the AP. The FBI offered only one list 12 reasons for rejection no other details.

Then on October 10, Harris drove to a nearby suburb to pay a man $580 in cash for the rifle used in the shooting.

Harris’ family became even more concerned when two packages arrived from arms and ammunition suppliers on October 15. One of his sisters, Yokeeka Harris, opened them and found a bulletproof vest, magazine covers and magazines. He then searched the bedroom and found the rifle inside an old television box.

Harris’ mother, Tanya Ward, called BJC Mental Health Services and staff there “treated the situation as an immediate threat.” They advised her to take the items to the police department and tell the officers about her son’s mental illness.

Police at the station said they could not take the firearm because Harris legally possessed the gun. They told him he needed to go home and an officer would meet them there. When he returned, Harris was home and insisted he keep the gun.

His mother was adamant the gun wasn’t in the house, so officers suggested a storage facility. The officers also advised her on the steps she would need to take to have her son deemed mentally unstable, the report said.

Federal law has prohibited certain mentally ill people from purchasing guns since 1968; This includes those who are considered a danger to themselves or others, those who have committed an involuntary crime or have been found not guilty by reason of insanity, or those who are incompetent to stand trial.

Ultimately, the firearm and other items were loaded into the trunk of Harris’ sister’s vehicle, including a box of ammunition that arrived the next day. He then drove his brother to a warehouse about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the high school.

He told police he “knew something was going to happen.”

On October 24, gunshots rang out as Harris entered his old high school.

It’s unclear why Harris targeted the school. A security guard said he was quite popular, and the elementary school principal said he was not being bullied, according to the investigation report. But while shooting at a dance class, a student told police she heard someone shout: “I hate this school. I hate everyone.”

Mortally wounded Alexzandria Bell ran towards the entrance before collapsing, a security guard reassuring the 10th grader that help was on the way. But then it got quiet.

One of the classmates jumped out of the window to escape after 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka stood between them and Harris. Kuckza was killed.

Harris eventually made his way to the third floor, hiding in a computer lab. The first officer to enter the laboratory had a daughter at school.

“I had everything to lose,” the officer who was among those who opened fire recalled in his police report. He later texted his daughter and said, “I killed her.”

Harris’ sister told investigators that she was on her way to school when she heard about the shooting, but then went home and woke up her mother, who was working through the night.

Harris’ mother then checked her voicemail. There was a message from the hospital asking if she still needed help with her son.