While Nation Mourns Connecticut Shooting – Threats of More Violence Disovered

Days after hearing about yet another appalling school shooting, grief and sorrow for the loss of so many innocent lives is palpable across the nation.

As people demand and account of the events that tore a hole in so many Connecticut family lives, questions as to what should be done to foil these calculated, cold-blooded massacres in our public schools are commanding attention from all sides of the political aisle. Advocates for and against citizen rights to own firearms are once again in a heated battle over what powers are extended through the second amendment right to bear arms.  Pursuit’s to discover what mental disease Adam Lanza has been suspected to have been suffering from, and the state of relationships in the Lanza family, are being thoroughly searched out through stories from family, friends, and acquaintances of the Lanza family. Social networks are abuzz with discussion on why this kind of brutality is becoming so prevalent in America, and people all over the U.S. are seeking to unite and show support through prayers, vigils, and donations to Newtown, CT and the victims of the massacre.

Despite an appropriately pronounced voice of support from America, in response to what we now view as a very personal attack on the safety of our children, there appear to be a couple individuals willing to test the momentum in which this support has gathered. Audaciously consorting to commit similar crimes, two individuals are currently being held by their local authorities: one Kyle Bangayan, 24 years old, out of Pomona, CA, and one Sammie Eaglebear Chavez, 18 years old, out of Bartlesville, OK.

Bangayan, who was booked on Sunday for investigation after he allegedly posted threats on Facebook against Los Angeles elementary schools, remains in jail with bail set at $500,000. Nine guns, including rifles and a shotgun were seized by police, although it is unknown at this time whether the firearms belong to Kyle or his father.

18-year-old Sammie Eaglebear Chavez, arrested around 4:30 a.m. Friday was not attempting to “copycat” the Connecticut massacre, and in fact it is now known that Chavez had been seeking to gain assistance from other students of Bartlesville High School as early in the weeks as Wednesday, Dec 12^th, to aid him in his plan to, “lure students into the auditorium, chain the doors shut and start shooting.” This plan was meant to transpire Friday December 14th, the exact same day of the Newtown, CT massacre. Police said that Chavez intended to, "place bombs by the doors so when the police arrived he would detonate the bombs, killing the police as they entered the building.” Chavez is currently in jail with bond set at 1 million dollars.

With the current levels of distress across the nation peaking over the assaults on our children in public schools, these two individuals have picked the most inopportune time to seek attention. Demonstrating the desire to commit violent acts against children should not, and will not be tolerated, but whatever treatment or correction they receive, there is still much that can be done on the local level to prevent future attempts.

Discussion is key to opening up better pathways for preventing crime in our schools. Whether we feel there are adequate measures being taken already, whether we would like to see more help, more law enforcement, etc. These questions need to be asked by parents and school staff. Establishing support groups is vital to ensuring participation, and many schools are creating a "School Violence Committee" designed solely to focus on preventing violence within the school. Get involved with the movement and ask your child's school staff to address your concerns, to explain what measures are in place for preventing these atrocious acts locally, and find out how you can participate or lend help to the effort.