This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/22/sparks-school-shooting-teacher-michael-landsberry

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sparks school shooting: teacher died trying to protect students Sparks school shooting: teacher died trying to protect students
(about 1 hour later)
A US middle school teacher who served two tours with the National Guard in Afghanistan has been hailed as a hero for trying to protect students from a shooting witnessed by up to 30 children.A US middle school teacher who served two tours with the National Guard in Afghanistan has been hailed as a hero for trying to protect students from a shooting witnessed by up to 30 children.
Police said a student at Sparks middle school was the lone gunman who injured two classmates, killed himself and took the life of the 8th-grade maths teacher Michael Landsberry. Police said a student at Sparks middle school was the lone gunman who injured two classmates, killed himself and took the life of the 8th-grade maths teacher, Michael Landsberry.
"We have a lot of heroes today, including our children … and our fallen hero, an amazing teacher," said Pedro Martinez, the Washoe County school district superintendent."We have a lot of heroes today, including our children … and our fallen hero, an amazing teacher," said Pedro Martinez, the Washoe County school district superintendent.
On the school website, Landsberry had posted a picture of a brown bear and the message: "I have one classroom rule and it is very simple: Thou Shall Not Annoy Mr L." On the school website Landsberry had posted a picture of a brown bear and the message: "I have one classroom rule and it is very simple: Thou Shall Not Annoy Mr L."
Geno Martini, the Sparks mayor, said Landsberry, 45, who was married with two stepdaughters, had served two tours in Afghanistan with the Nevada National Guard and was well known in the school community. "He proudly served his country and was proudly defending the students at his school," he said.Geno Martini, the Sparks mayor, said Landsberry, 45, who was married with two stepdaughters, had served two tours in Afghanistan with the Nevada National Guard and was well known in the school community. "He proudly served his country and was proudly defending the students at his school," he said.
Sparks is a city of 90,000 just east of Reno, Nevada. Students were filing off buses and reuniting with friends after a weeklong holiday when the gunfire began.Sparks is a city of 90,000 just east of Reno, Nevada. Students were filing off buses and reuniting with friends after a weeklong holiday when the gunfire began.
Authorities did not provide a motive for the shooting, and it is not known where the boy got the gun. The two wounded students, both 12, were in a stable condition. One was shot in the shoulder, and the other in the abdomen.Authorities did not provide a motive for the shooting, and it is not known where the boy got the gun. The two wounded students, both 12, were in a stable condition. One was shot in the shoulder, and the other in the abdomen.
Investigators were trying to piece together the chain of events that began around 7.15am on Monday, 15 minutes before classes were to begin for 700 students in the 7th and 8th grades.Investigators were trying to piece together the chain of events that began around 7.15am on Monday, 15 minutes before classes were to begin for 700 students in the 7th and 8th grades.
"The best description is chaos," said the Reno deputy police chief Tom Robinson. "It's too early to say whether he was targeting people or going on an indiscriminate shooting spree.""The best description is chaos," said the Reno deputy police chief Tom Robinson. "It's too early to say whether he was targeting people or going on an indiscriminate shooting spree."
The mayor also praised the quick response from police officers who arrived at the scene within three minutes of the initial 911 calls to find the gunman with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.The mayor also praised the quick response from police officers who arrived at the scene within three minutes of the initial 911 calls to find the gunman with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Students from the middle school and neighbouring elementary school were taken to the nearby high school, and classes were cancelled. The two schools will remain closed for the week.Students from the middle school and neighbouring elementary school were taken to the nearby high school, and classes were cancelled. The two schools will remain closed for the week.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.