INDEPTH: TABER SHOOTING
Tragedy in Taber
CBC News Online | April 27, 2004
On April 20, 1999, two students went on a deadly rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. One week later, a similar attack struck a small town in Alberta.
A 14-year-old boy opened fire with a .22-calibre rifle inside W.R. Myers High School in Taber, Alta.
A single rose is placed in front of a portrait of slain teenager Jason Lang at a memorial service at W.R. Myers high school in Taber, Alta., Monday, May 3, 1999. (CP PHOTO/David Lazarowych/Pool)
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The attacker had been a student at the school, but had dropped out. Student Jason Lang, 17, was killed. Another student, also 17 at the time, was wounded and has since recovered from his injuries.
Students at the school described the shooter as an unpopular kid who was the subject of teasing and name-calling. The boy's mother has said he endured incessant bullying by peers and showed signs of depression before the shooting.
The boy went on trial for one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The Crown attempted to try the teen as an adult, but the judge turned down the request.
While the case wound its way through the courts, the boy underwent two open-heart surgeries to correct a defect that had been discovered after he was arrested. He had a stroke during the surgery, suffered brain damage and went into a coma.
After the stroke, the teen had speech problems and had difficulty eating and swallowing, and had to be fed through a tube. The stroke also diminished the youth's mental capacity and maturity.
He pleaded guilty on all charges in November 2000 and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Three years later, a psychologist who examined the shooter prior to his release said he was still delusional and obsessed with violence in movies and video games. Dr. John Satterberg said the teen showed no genuine remorse and there is an extremely high risk that he will reoffend.
The teen's lawyer, however, said he was ready to be released and can manage whatever problems he has with the help of his doctors.
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