Just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, a 15-year-old student armed with a handgun opened fire at Marshall County High School, killing two 15-year-old students and leaving 18 others injured, according The Associated Press.
Officials released the identities of those killed as Bailey Holt, 15, who died at the scene, and Preston Cope, 15, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital, in a press conference posted by Fox17. Classmates and the tight-knit community were left in despair at the loss of two of their own.
Bailey’s mother Secret Holt described to Newsweek the emotional moments when she tried to get in touch with her daughter after hearing about the shooting. She explained how she heard chaos in the background while on the phone but, when she called her daughter’s name, she said she received no response.
Classmate Gabbi Bayers remembered Bailey and Preston as “two of the greatest people [she has] ever met.”
Gov. Matt Bevin told reporters that the healing process that will follow this tragedy will take time.
“These children belong to this community and to specific families in this community. And this is a wound that will take a long time to heal and, for some in this community, will never heal. Please respect these families,” he said in a Tuesday press conference posted by Fox17.
President Donald Trump also took to Twitter to offer his condolences to the victims and their families.
Earlier today, I spoke with @GovMattBevin of Kentucky regarding yesterday’s shooting at Marshall County High School. My thoughts and prayers are with Bailey Holt, Preston Cope, their families, and all of the wounded victims who are in recovery. We are with you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2018
The student charged with the shooting faces two counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to Newsweek.