Alleged Perry Hall Shooter Identified, Charged With Attempted Murder

ARG August 28, 2012 at 04:43 pm

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!

Joe R August 28, 2012 at 04:46 pm

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.

Carrie Snead Ayd August 28, 2012 at 04:47 pm

Can we NOT make race an issue in every tragedy ?!

Carrie Snead Ayd August 28, 2012 at 04:48 pm

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 !!

Joe R August 28, 2012 at 04:56 pm

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..

Joe R August 28, 2012 at 04:58 pm

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

Jon August 28, 2012 at 05:04 pm

I agree with you Carrie, but this is the first I have heard the race for either the victim or the shooter. I don't think it's getting played up in this case. At least by folks other than Gabe here.

Mike Smith August 28, 2012 at 05:06 pm

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.

Shell9 August 28, 2012 at 05:07 pm

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..

Jon August 28, 2012 at 05:09 pm

Regardless of the bullying situation, even if it was terrible for Gladden, society can NEVER condone the attempted murder of another person as an acceptable response. Nor should it be used as an excuse - there are always other options.

Murph August 28, 2012 at 05:12 pm

That still does not solve the problem. Yes, you can lock up this boy forever, but the problem with bullying and school violence goes on. Yes, he made a choice and will pay a price, but there will be more kids like him.

Michael August 28, 2012 at 05:18 pm

You don't need to prove anything except pre-meditation to make it 1st degree. He showed forethought by bringing the gun to school with 20 rounds of ammunition. He took the time to assemble to gun. Sorry, but this is clearly the correct charge.

Jackie August 28, 2012 at 05:19 pm

@ARG: Yes!

Doug K August 28, 2012 at 05:24 pm

I agree Jenny Bahr -- this is perhaps the greatest tragedy of the whole thing -- he shot at the most vulnerable kids in the school -- this was not "getting back at a bully". This was trying to kill the most vulnerable kids in the school.

Needaname August 28, 2012 at 06:20 pm

That is a good point. Common sense they should have told someone, but depending on teenagers to 'rat' on another kid is hard. There are so many 'victims' in this situation.

angie johns August 28, 2012 at 07:26 pm

The shooter is white; where are you getting your info: Fox News?

Sierra skazis August 28, 2012 at 08:19 pm

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.

ARG August 28, 2012 at 09:27 pm

i am not saying people are not traumatized from this. i cannot imagine what the kids were thinking might be happening in this school at the time. i also agree that he should not have brought a gun to school. what i am saying is, there is an underlying issue. People should not rush to judgement on this boy.
And for the record i believe if the parenting was done at home instead of in the schools, the parents should take accountability.

Ponder121 August 28, 2012 at 09:57 pm

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

Joe R August 28, 2012 at 10:15 pm

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.

Sick of all this gun violence August 28, 2012 at 10:52 pm

Yes, it's true. He is a kid with Downs and was being bullied by Master Gladden. When the 17 year old stood up for himself that morning, that's what incensed Gladden to go out to the car and get the gun. He came prepared, he is a bully, he's from a family that disrespects authority and have raised a pup. And a pup comes from a parent who has to be also held accountable. As a teacher, I was continually appalled at how it is EVERYONE else's fault with the actions of the child except the parent's. In this case, he learned this behavior fro elders and was reinforced with it, taught to answer in this way when he doesn't get his own. And these are facts that can be extrapolated from his behavior, nothing else.

froggypant August 29, 2012 at 12:07 am

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

Zoobie August 29, 2012 at 03:11 am

"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?

pyschstuff August 29, 2012 at 04:57 am

"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.

Terran August 29, 2012 at 05:18 am

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.

pyschstuff August 29, 2012 at 05:48 am

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!

Jill Angel August 29, 2012 at 10:59 am

I couldn't have said what I feel any better!

Kathleen Walther August 30, 2012 at 05:26 pm

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.

Kevin September 2, 2012 at 06:29 am

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.

SnakeSkin September 6, 2012 at 01:18 pm

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!!