2006 School Shooting
On August 30, 2006, former student 18-year-old Alvaro Rafael Castillo blew past the security shack at the entrance to the student parking lot, stepped out of his van, set off 3 smoke bombs, and then proceeded with gunfire towards the school. He shot out part of a window in the hallway in front of the cafeteria. A girl was injured by a bullet grazing her and a young man was injured by flying glass.
At this time students with the second lunch period were eating out on the outdoor patio, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department. All of the students were quickly rushed inside and the school was locked down for 4 to 5 hours, along with the rest of the Orange County District Schools. A bomb squad was then called in to search the campus because of pipe bombs found in the man's van. Local news helicopters hovered over the school to get the breaking news.
Later that day it was discovered that Castillo had killed his father to "put him out of his misery." He also made the statement "Columbine, remember Columbine," referring to the Columbine High School massacre, while entering a patrol car. He also sent a written letter and videotape to the Chapel Hill News prior to the shooting, acknowledging the murder of his father and the subsequent attack that followed.
On August 21, 2009, Alvaro Castillo was found guilty in Orange County Superior Court following a trial that lasted three weeks. He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Read more about this topic: Orange High School (North Carolina)
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