Sparks Middle School shooting


The Sparks Middle School shooting occurred in Sparks, Nevada, on October 21, 2013. Two people, including the perpetrator, were killed, and two others were injured. Sparks Middle School is part of the Washoe County School District.

Shooting

On October 21, 2013, Jose Reyes, a 12-year-old student in seventh grade, opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun at the basketball courts of Sparks Middle School. He injured a 12-year-old student, KJ Kersey, in the shoulder. Michael Landsberry, a 45-year old math teacher who was trying to intervene with Reyes, was shot and killed in the playground. Reyes then shot and wounded a 12-year-old student, Mason Davis, who tried to come to Landsberry's assistance. Davis suffered an injury to his abdomen. Reyes then committed suicide by shooting himself in the head. The shooting happened before classes, and the school was evacuated and was closed for the week. Details of the shooting emerged in the report issued the following spring.

Perpetrator

Jose Horacio Reyes, was born in Reno, Nevada, to parents from Mexico. He had two younger sisters, and grew up partially in Arizona where his father found a construction job, but later moved with his family back to Nevada. Reyes' parents owned a restaurant in Sparks. In early 2012, Reyes' father was charged with and plead guilty to misdemeanor child abuse for an incident involving his son. Reyes left two suicide notes claiming he was bullied, and had taken the antidepressant Prozac and an antipsychotic drug.

Aftermath

The incident has been a continuing subject of public concern and discussion. In November 2015, Hillary Clinton discussed the shooting at Sparks during her campaign for the presidency, as part of her campaign for gun control.