This just proves an unfortunate event like this can happen anywhere. Perry Hall High is still a great school. Thank God for the counselor who took down the shooter. He could have saved many more lives.

Those students who knew what was about to happen and said nothing could have prevented the destruction of two lives yesterday, but they failed to act.

Attempted first-degree murder? If this charge is to stand then the state's attorney's office will need a number of items of proof such as did the defendant have the intention to kill the individual who was shot? If, instead, this was a troubled individual (as it sounds from what I have read and heard in various news outlets) who was upset about the fact that his peers at school did not like him and he was looking to make an overall statement about how the feeling was mutual to everyone else in general and no one in particular, then look for this charge to be reduced drastically to something much further down on the criminal scale such as reckless endangerment, attempted manslaughter, etc.

There are too many elements of proof necessary to prove even attempted first degree murder and the state's attorney knows this. Overcharging in a situation like this only serves to make the public believe that the authorities are going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. And making that statement, "we will prosecute this individual as an adult to the fullest extent possible of the law" should be sufficient.

i agree with miss cordwell but my main concern with this is with all the technology in this county why didn't this school have metal dectors i understood that trouble in this school is very low but with all the crazy stuff out here in the world this can happen anywhere and now i hope the school and county board of education will agree that the kids need to be protected better in the future so that this kind of thing does not happen again there could of been many many more kids hurt if it wasn't for the actions of school staff and i am so thankful that they were there also i am praying for the student that did get hurt and that he makes a complete and speedy recovery

As much as I wish the two boys who saw him in bathroom had acted differently, we need to remember that they are 15 year old kids as well. They panicked and were scared to act for fear that the shooter would target them. It's so sad and scary and though we as adults would have acted differently, these are still children we are talking about.

he shot someone .. when someone shoots a gun don't they automatically shoot to kill ? c'mon he didn't care if he took a life or not , he would have used a squirt gun if that was the case... Not a sawed off shot gun .

I love how people on here seem to know all the details, what other children knew and what his intent was. Amazing how intuitive you all are.

Don't worry about waiting till the actual facts come out, just keep reading social websites and voicing your opinion as fact. That is responsible.

There are many things and/or people that possibly could have "prevented" this from happening but it happened. I hear people blaming other students, blaming the shooters parents, blaming the fact that it happened on bullying etc etc etc. Bottom line is, no one but the shooter picked up a gun and walked into a school cafeteria filled with hundreds of students. What happened, child or not, to being responsible for YOUR OWN actions ? As a society, I feel like we always try to find an excuse or a reason for our behavior rather than own up to it. I do not condone bullying in any fashion, but what happened to the days of old when boys would be boys and just throw fists in the field and may the best man win ? May all of these families, especially that of the young man shot, find peace and may we as a community get the healing we need and become more compassionate to one another.

I did some research, the 15 year old came from a dysfunctional family where both parents had issues with the law, especially his father. It does not condone or excuse Gladden's crime; but the dysfunctional home life did not help the boy. I am praying very hard for the 17 year old's recovery from his wounds.

The sign on the shooter's home( mother's house) that said " we don't call 911" alongside a relief of a gun speaks loud and clear. The son absorbed the message and acted to solve his problems with violence. What a terrible attitude to bequeath to your child.

First of all - THROW THE BOOK AT HIM!!! Second of all - How did this kid get this far into the school with a SHOTGUN?!! Furthermore, you do NOT shoot to harm with a SHOTGUN...you shoot to KILL. If he just wanted to hurt him or piss him off he could have used his fists, a BB gun, a blowdart...not a shotgun. Or did he not REALIZE that a shotgun blast at that range WILL KILL. Absolutely he should be charged with attempted murder!!

I remember when my son was in elementary school, there was a bully in the school who also lived in our neighborhood. The school and the parents knew he was a problem kid, yet we all lived in fear of what he might do, who he might target. This was a 9 year old child! Thankfully, the family moved. I don't recall the school taking any measures to, well, what could they do this being a public school and all? Parents of bullies don't necessarily see their children the same way the victims do. And if the ones being bullied aren't being helped, well, incidents like the one yesterday can result. Administrators need to take bullying seriously and not just issue a memo or put a line in the school policy manual on the penalties. Address the problem. Prevention sure costs less than repair.

Who doesn't come from a dysfunctional family? Who hasn't at some point been picked on in school? At age 15,he alone is responsible for his actions.i know for a fact from someone who knew and spent time with him,he said he hated retards.doesn't feel random to me his 1st shot was at the special needs table.why shoot the most innocent? He wasnt bullied by daniel.my empathy is with daniel and his parents and the absolute NIGHTMARE they are going through.as for bobby...the fb post ,and 20 rounds of ammunition prove to me his intention to kill

So much talk about punishment, where guilt should go, etc. Let's pray for the boy who was shot and his grieving family. That's where we should be focusing our energies. The facts will come out and the trial will happen later. My sons were raised in the Perry Hall School district and I know it's basically a very nice area to grow up in. Bad things happen all over the world. Prayers need to go up for this boy who did the shooting, too. Sounds like he really needs God's intervention in his life.

Let us all be reminded that both families need our prayers.

What about the victim? He looked as if he was a special needs student. Is this true? Our daughters were at VT when the shooting happened their freshman year. This tragedy and violence can be really devastating and traumatic for kids and families especially. This is a time when friends and family and a higher power are integral for healing. Thank goodness for the heroism this could of been a lot uglier.

To Harry, it was pre-meditated, as Jenny said, the Facebook post and the amount of ammo say enough. Tht morning his Facebook stated he worked at 'Murder suicide' with the Manson Family. And his status yesterday morning said 'first day of school, last day of my life'. That with 20 rounds of ammo is enough for me to assume he planned to take out a few kids and to take him self after. Thank goodness that it didn't end up like that.

Murph,
I do not disagree with you...if the parents looked at his fb page and stuck their heads in the sand...they have to live with that.i raised 2 boys who went to that school and s special needs child who graduated from ridge ruxton...have a 9 yr old in kingsville now...i can tell you...before this shooting,we decided he would never step foot in that middle or high school.thank God,my special needs son wasn't forced into the inclusion everyone thought was so great..the
overcrowding and cliques in those two schools makes it impossible for teachers to give students the attention they all deserve and the staff at both schools are amazing...they are just overwhelmed.2300 students at that high school..how can any teacher spot a problem? Just saying...build another high school and middle school and stop building high end homes to attract more families with kids we don't have room for in the school

Im actually horrified that a boy who stated i hate retards,then proceeded to shoot at the special needs table is being brushed off as a random act based on the fact he was bullied...and what he missed the bully?

Let's dispell some of the idiocy surrounding some comments:
-There is a way to prevent attacks.
*No, you can reduce liklihood, you cannot prevent. Banning one item doesn't stop someone from using another item. Metal detectors everywhere only inconvenience the whole, while those intent on killing simply shoot the guard (see recent shooting in DC).
-People/society failed the shooter.
*We know a very limited set of "facts" about the shooter, mostly third and fourth degree anecdotal evidence from teenagers (not quite the standard bearers of reliable information) and from facebook (also not a barometer of anything). It's probably fair to assume no one here is a trained mental health professional, so diagnosing the shooter is also probably an exercise in futility. Let the judicial and medical systems run their courses.
-People should have acted out.
*For starters, everyone thinks they would be a hero in a crappy situation and without significant training, most aren't. Sure, we have heroes like those on Flight 93 at Shanksville, but what did most of the passengers do? It's not in human nature to throw your life on the line. Some scientists even believe we have a human preservation gene. Quit judging those who didn't act. Contrary to your beliefs, you mostly likely would no different.
-Your parenthood skills are not determined by the ability to avert tragedy.
*We don't know the circumstances. Back to the central point: quit Monday-morning quarterbacking.

I def. think the word on bullying is out there now more than ever - more than when I was in school. I just think we have a long way to go. I think it is important not to bully for sure - but more importantly for anyone who takes a stand and defends someone who is getting bullied - they need to be protected - meaning they should not be "ousted" when they take a stand - I think that is the number one reason why some kds don't jump in an help. The ones not getting bullied are just as afraid.

@Murph, maybe it's because the school administration takes no effort to fix the problem. They just tell you what the penalty will be, try to keep from being sued, and everybody is then on edge and looking over their shoulder trying not to be the next victim. If the shooter had mental health issues, were they dealt with or ignored? There seems to be a lot of money for non-essential services, and little for mental health. There will be lot of blame-shifting in the aftermath. However, as the dust settles, will anyone look at what preventions were in place, what adult interventions that were ignored? It's easy to just say shoot the shooter, but does that make any sense? If this kid, the 15 year old, was bullied, what in God's name did anyone do about it?!

Funny how shooter is talked about....and not victim. A down syndrome student. Sad.

Just hope the victim can fully recover. As for the shooter lock him away for the rest of his life. If your solution to problems is to randomly shoot people then you should be removed from society. No second chances and no excuses for him. Let him live with the rest of pieces of crap who reside in our prisons. Soon he will know what it is like to be bullied.

What kind of home did this shooter grow up in?
"Monday afternoon, county police searched a house and a shed at the address listed as Gladden's in the court filings for more than an hour and a half, and could be seen removing some guns. A sign near the front door had an image of a gun and the message: We don't call 911."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-perry-hall-follow-20120828,0,4482968.story

A promiscuous 15 yearold girl who lies about her age goes to clubs to pick up guys can land a man on a sex offender list life ruined for a one night stand and still be regarded as a victim but a 15 year old boy who picks up a gun and takes a life is charged as an adult.

black shooter white victim no al sharpton. Just saying.

First of all, i am preying that Mr. Gladdens parents have a record of the bullying. I am hoping this child, and yes he is a child, was brave enough to tell someone he was being picked on. For the parents sake, i hope the contacted the school about it and i hope the school took action. If the school did not take action, then the school is as much at fault. I have noticed in todays reports they have left out the part of Mr. Gladden being picked on, things being thrown at him, and the other actions that led up to the shooting. I also hope nothing like this ever happens to your (the previous posters) family or loved ones. I am not justifying Mr. Gladdens actions, what I am asking is that you put yourself in Mr. Gladdens place. Sitting in class while people star and laugh at you, throw things at you, and make fun of you. There is no one stading up for you, you are embarrassed, you are in high school, and you are scared and angry and this possibly isnt the first time these things have happened. Imagine being pushed to the edge of reason. Feeling like you have no where to go. If you tell an administrator, you will be harrassed even more, or if you have already tried to tell possibly ignored.

Those who have already judged and condemned this boy should take a long hard look at themselves, have you always waked the straight and narrow? Have you always done the right thing, have you always treated everyone equal? I seriusly doubt any one of you can answer yes!

Its sad no one could reach out to this kid Robert before it got this far, I mean one look at his facebook and you can see. I think parents these days need to be more involved in their teenagers lives, with the things that are on tv and in social media theyre bound to head down the wrong road without direction from someone in their family.

All day long people have commented on FB on the TV in the paper about yesterdays events at PHHS. Comments about the shooter ALL day. So much negativity surrounding this event and rightfully so but PLEASE people...stop for one second. Take yesterdays tragic event and make something out of it. Have a conversation with your child or children. Be their parent and NOT their friend ! The shooter is being put out there as a victim of being bullied and maybe he was, but the bottom line is that he intended on walking into that school and taking a life or several lives. I DO NOT in any way shape or form condone bullying but murder is also inexcusable !! Take this time to let you child know that bullying in wrong in any fashion. Let them know it's NOT ok to be a bully or to egg on bullying. Simply laughing along at someone being bullied is in fact bullying in a sense. More importantly, let them know that your door and your heart is open to them and/or their peers. Let them know that if someone or something is not right or is making them uncomfortable that YOU will be there to support them and back them up and get them help. Stop the "My child does no wrong" mentality and recognize that YOUR child could have been the victim OR the shooter. LETS START THE PARENTING AT HOME WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE !!

I agree with you ARG, bullying is occuring and alot more serious then parents think. Its unfortunate we all cant be accepted for who we are. Who cares if he wears all black and has long hair, but there areare groups of people that get off on targeting kids like this..

All of my prayers go out to the kid who was shot. I hope he has a fast recovery.

I feel nothing for shooter. I don't care if he is a child he deserves no compassion. It's not the schools fault. It's not his parents fault. It's his fault. It was the first day of school. How can anyone claimed he was bullied at school. It was the first day. If he was bullied last school year then he has 1 months to get over it. It is all his fault. He shot an innocent person cause he is messed up. Remove him from society and problem solved.

I have seen these policies on Bullying that BCPS have put in place and I can tell you that they are a joke. It's not enough to just suspend them. The kids go home and do what ever they want because the parents have no idea how to discipline them. Most of them see it as everyone else is at fault. Their little angel could never have done this thing that he is being accused of. They need intervention counseling on both ends. The bully and the one being bullied. Our kids of today are going to hell in a hand basket. They are the future leaders of our country. Most of them don't know how to problem solve. There seems to be a missed opportunity for intervention with this young boy who did the shooting. From his parents and the school. The signs are there. I know it is stereo typing but most kids who are GOTH (sp) have issues with depression and feelings of not being worthy. Why not encourage a group to meet for kids with these feelings. Reach out to the problem kids by giving them worth not suspension. This is where Baltimore County fails. Principals want to get them out of the school. Make them do in school suspension. I have a daughter with special needs and I don't think the police could keep me away from the parents. I would have wiped the floor up with his mom..His dad seemed to be compassionate. We need to invest in our kids..

Seriously all you people shut up. He was wrong for bringing in a gun into school , end of story. Everyone gets bullied deal with it other ways. I was inside the school when it happend and it was scary so instead of talking Boit this kid go take care of your kids because everyone in that school is traumatized.

everyone knows someone who is capable of doing horrible things.anyone is capable of doing anything at any time.it should not be surprising that an act such as this could occur in our community.this crime is just another example of the downward spiral of society and the obvious lack of parental concern.fortunately there is a plan for each of us and we only have to ask HIM.only He is able to lead us all in the way that may prevent such tragedies in the future......GOD BLESS

I like how someone stated how the bullying excuse is bullcrap cause it was the first day, he was a sophmore if im not mistaken so he had atleast a few yrs of being tormented in that school. And im not picking at phs but i know when i graduated in 06 kids that dressed in all black and were goth got picked on constantly, and not in just phs its all over the state. Its not right, does anyone see a trend what these kids commiting these acts wear and listen too. No it is not marilyn mansons fault, im just saying maybe we should reach ot to these kids before they do things such as this.

Plug in this boys dad's name Robert W Gladden he has all kinds of charges.... apple doesn't fall far ... http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp

"15 yr old Charged as an adult with first degree murder......".What have we become? Is this The United States Of America? Sounds more like Afganastan, to me! Why not just take him out to the woodpile and 'behead him' ? I'm no liberal, bleeding heart, but a "fifteen year old, bullied teenager, is not 'An Adult'". He's a troubled teen. A life has been taken, and there must be consequenses, but, a stroke of the pen saying this teen is an adult is wrong, and don't make it so! Hinkley's in the nut house for trying to kill President Reagan. Wouldn't this case call for an Pych. profile and examination of all of the circumstances before jumping ahead with the maximum charges possible?

"I have seen these policies on Bullying that BCPS have put in place and I can tell you that they are a joke. It's not enough to just suspend them." Actually, there is a new policy in place regarding the use of suspension in BCPS schools. It comes from policy changes at the state level. Essentially it requires well documented, preventative measures/interventions to occur before suspension can be considered. BCPS plainly states that suspension is not effective and not an option like it was before. They even give a list of interventions in the policy and the list is excellent (let me qualify my opinion my saying that I do work in the mental health field). Now, it doesnt mean that suspension can't be used-especially in the case of immanent threat to safety. The interventions listed even suggest referral to a mental health provider. Furthermore, BCPS is implementing a research based school wide positive behavior interventions and supports program in many of the schools- that utilizes many of the intervention suggestions listed in the new bcps policy. The policy is public, so u can probably google it or go to the bcps website. Long way to go, but moving the right direction.

I'm all for an eye for an eye. Sorry Arg, but I have been picked on for about 15 years. Had things thrown at me, even had a guy spit on me. I never thought about taking a gun to school to solve my problems. I did my time, got my diploma, and knew that they would get back everything they dished out. And I had parents going thru a divorce so I had no one to talk to about my problems. So don't give me that boo hoo for the shooter, he was from a dysfunctional family crap. An eye for an eye is the way to go. If we don't go blind right away, maybe it will open peoples eyes when they see that we aren't just stuffing them in a looney bin and giving them a lollipop. But instead That they will have to face the consequences for their actions. Many prayers to Daniel and his family.

ARG a- something to keep in mind about bullying- victims sometimes also become bullys and resort to aggression, taunting and other acts such as this. The research about violence is clear on contributing factors-and there's several, and its more of an interaction of several factors, including parenting style (too permissive, too controlling, indifference, absense of warmth-none are good), effects of a troubled marriage/divorce, exposure to traumatic violence, exposure to abuse (physical, sexual or verbal), relationship to attachment figures (parents)..... all that to say- its complex. It can be identified early on however, well, yea, thats complex too! As many here said (in so many words) us humans have that human factor going on, dont we? What one of us wouldnt end up where he did in the same circumstances? Resilliency, exposure to stress, positive protective factors that exist(like social support networks), drug addictions?! The human factor. Could be any one of us!

Initially.I got a FB page only to monitor our daughter's FB page on a daily basis. Where was the supervision in this 15 year old's life? If I had seen anything like what was on his FB page ( and I would bet this wasn't his first FB entry with questionable comments included)), the computer would have been taken away,and a MAJOR discussion between parents and child would have ensued. We probably would also have sought some kind of serious counseling for her through the school and privately, if necessary. I agree with a previous comment that children are NOT born to hate others - they learn it from their parents/guardians. I've experienced, first-hand, the disgusting racism of one set of parents within our daughter's circle of friends. It was just that- -DISGUSTING! a young girl bring told that if she dated a particular boy that her father would disown her. That young girl telling the boy to hide / duck down in my car when she saw her mother. These sane parents claim to be such wonderful parents, as they model nothing but hatred for others. These same patents who depended upon others to let them know about their own daughter's entities on FB and other social media. Where were they?? Probably too busy mouthing off about young boys of other races who did NOTHING to them except like their daughter. The mother making nasty comments about my daughter's mother (me) directly to a 17 year old girl. These parents are modeling negative behaviors of hatred and intolerance.

My heart goes out to the boy who was shot but my heart also goes out to the boy who did the shooting. He was bullied and he didn't get the help he needed, from his parents, or his school. The boys who bullied him should be expelled from school. The parent who owned the gun should face charges. The boy should not face jailtime, he should instead, be given the help that he needs.

Kevin the help he needs is jail time!! Maybe not life, but something or maybe life in a mental facility. Yeah he was bullied I understand what it's like because I was bullied as a kid. We move on. We get stronger. Go to the gym. exercise makes you feel better, not violence!!