2007 SuccessTech Academy shooting

On October 10, 2007, Coon entered the five-story school building shortly before 1:00 p.m. EST, armed with two handguns (a .22 caliber revolver and a .38 caliber revolver),{{cite news | first=Chris | last=Maag |author2=Ian Urbina |author2-link=Ian Urbina | title=Student, 14, Shoots 4 and Kills Himself in Cleveland School | date=2007-10-10 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/us/11cleveland.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin | work =The New York Times | accessdate = 2009-02-25 }} and a box of additional rounds of ammunition for each pistol; three folding knives were also in Coon's possession, which were all stocked together in a duffel bag.{{cite news | title=Police: Suspended boy shoots 4 at Ohio school | date=2007-10-10 | publisher=NBC News | url =https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21224357 | access-date = 2009-02-25 }} Wearing a Marilyn Manson concert shirt, black jeans, and black-painted fingernails,[https://web.archive.org/web/20140517140751/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2007/10/11/5-hospitalized-after-14-year-old-goes-on-shooting-rampage-at-cleveland-high/ "5 Hospitalized After 14-Year-Old Goes on Shooting Rampage at Cleveland High School"] Coon walked to the fourth floor of the building and entered the men's washroom where he loaded two revolvers.

The shooting began at around 1:09pm on the fourth floor of the building, after 14-year-old Michael Peek punched Coon in the face for bumping into him, and shoving a gun in his face. When Peek walked away, Coon shot him in the abdomen.{{cite news | title = Four shot at school, gunman kills himself | newspaper = The Plain Dealer | date = October 11, 2007 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/four_shot.html | first = Michael | last = O' Malley | author2 = Gabriel Baird | access-date = 2009-03-01 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090413185847/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fschoolshooting%2Fmore%2Ffour_shot.html | archive-date = April 13, 2009 }}{{cite news | title = New Video Shows Student Terror in Ohio | publisher = Fox News| date = October 11, 2007 | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011091035/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 11, 2007 | accessdate = 2009-08-17 }}{{cite web | title = Shooting rips Cleveland tech school | publisher = eSchool News | date = October 11, 2007 | url = http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=49098&CFID=5791735&CFTOKEN=29355084 | accessdate = 2009-02-07 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Another student, 17-year-old Darnell Rodgers, suffered a graze gunshot wound to the elbow in the same hallway. Michael Grassie, a social studies teacher, was shot in the chest when Coon entered his classroom. A second teacher, David Kachadourian, was shot in the back of his shoulder while in the hallway evacuating his students.{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Stephens | title=Wounded SuccessTech teacher shepherded students to safety | date=2007-10-12 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/teacher_shepherded.html | accessdate=2009-03-16 | archive-date=2009-04-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416083744/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/teacher_shepherded.html | url-status=dead }} During the entire shooting, Coon was said to be cursing. The shooting ended when Coon entered a classroom on the fourth floor and fatally shot himself in the head.{{cite news | title = SuccessTech shooter shot himself in the head | newspaper = The Plain Dealer | date = October 11, 2007 | url = http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/success_tech_shooter_shot_hims.html | accessdate = 2009-01-24| first= Donna | last= Miller}}{{cite news | title = Ohio school shooter had history of problems | publisher = CNN | date = October 11, 2007 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/cleveland.shooting/index.html | accessdate = 2007-10-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011135551/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/cleveland.shooting/index.html |archive-date = 2007-10-11}}{{cite news | first=Joe | last=Milicia | title=4 Hurt, Gunman Killed in Ohio School | date=2007-10-11 | url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/10/AR2007101001486.html | newspaper =The Washington Post | accessdate = 2009-03-07 }}

According to police chief Michael Mcgrath, Coon had fired eight shots during the shooting.{{Cite web |date=2007-10-11 |title=Student gunman in Ohio warned classmates of attack; records show history of mental problems |url=https://www.wave3.com/story/7198563/student-gunman-in-ohio-warned-classmates-of-attack-records-show-history-of-mental-problems/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=https://www.wave3.com |language=en}}

The school was placed in a lockdown shortly after the shooting.

Four individuals were wounded by gunfire in the shooting; two students and two teachers. The two injured teachers were treated at MetroHealth Medical Center, and the two students injured were treated at the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.{{cite news |agency= Associated Press | title=Report: Teen shoots four; kills self at Cleveland high school | date=2007-10-10 | publisher=CNN | url =http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/10/cleveland.shooting/index.html | accessdate = 2009-03-06 }}{{cite news|date=2007-10-10|title=An inside account of school shooting|newspaper=The Plain Dealer|url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/insideaccount.html|accessdate=2009-03-16|archive-date=2009-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413192852/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/insideaccount.html|url-status=dead}} A 14-year-old student was also hospitalized for knee and back injuries received from being trampled in a hallway by fleeing students.{{cite news|last=Maag|first=Chris|author2=Ian Urbina|author2-link=Ian Urbina|date=2007-10-11|title=Student, 14, Shoots 4 and Kills Himself in Cleveland School|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/us/11cleveland.html|accessdate=2009-03-11}} One student and one teacher were discharged from the hospital later that day; the other students were released the following day.{{cite news|date=2007-10-11|title=Video From Cameras Inside School To Be Reviewed|publisher=WEWS-TV|url=http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14318677/detail.html|accessdate=2009-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029134639/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14318677/detail.html|archive-date=2007-10-29}} The last victim was discharged from the hospital on October 15.{{cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=2007-10-16|title=Cleveland School Reopens After Shooting; Teacher Recalls Look Of 'Total Anger' On Gunman's Face|publisher=MTV News|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572036/20071016/index.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019054224/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572036/20071016/index.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 19, 2007|accessdate=2009-03-16}}

Asa H. Coon (September 22, 1993 - October 10, 2007) {{Cite web |title=Visit Asa Coon's memorial page on We Remember |url=https://www.weremember.com/asa-coon/8v7h/memories |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=www.weremember.com |language=en-US}} Fourteen-year-old Coon had been placed on a three-day suspension two days prior to the shooting for an altercation with another student regarding the existence of God.{{cite news | first=Scott | last=Stephens | author2=Rachel Dissell | title=School shooter has record of violence, suicidal talk but was called genius by some | date=2007-10-11 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/who_was.html | work=The Plain Dealer | accessdate=2009-03-07 | archive-date=2009-04-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413193544/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/who_was.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite news |agency= Associated Press| title=New Video Shows Student Terror in Ohio; Gunman's Brother Arrested | date=2007-10-11 | url =https://www.foxnews.com/story/new-video-shows-student-terror-in-ohio-gunmans-brother-arrested | publisher =Fox News | access-date = 2009-02-28 }} The day he was suspended was the same day his brother, nineteen-year-old Stephen Coon, was arrested in connection with an armed robbery.{{Cite news |last=Maag |first=Christopher |date=2007-10-12 |title=Short but Troubled Life Ended in Shooting and Suicide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/us/12cleveland.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} According to Coon's uncle, Larry Looney, Coon said he was upset because the teachers would not listen to what he had to say regarding the fight.{{cite news | first=Joe | last=Milicia| title=Gunman's uncle: Teen upset with teachers | date=2007-10-12 | url =https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-12-cleveland-uncle_N.htm | work =USA Today | accessdate = 2009-03-03 }} According to fellow students and teachers, Coon had apparently been the target of bullying by students at the school for his Gothic appearance and eccentric behavior, and had made threats of violence in front of students and teachers the week before the shooting.{{cite news |agency= Associated Press | title=School gunman had access despite threats | date=2007-10-11 | publisher=CTV News | url =https://www.ctvnews.ca/school-gunman-had-access-despite-threats-1.259683 | accessdate = 2009-03-07 }} Joseph Fletcher, a friend of Coon, said he had been "pushed too far" and that teachers were unable to help with his problems.{{cite news | first=Patrick | last=O'Donnell | title=Shooter "pushed too far" | date=2007-10-10 | url =http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/shooter_pushed_too_far.html | work =The Plain Dealer | accessdate = 2009-03-07 }} Michael Grassie, who was one of Coon's teachers, said that Coon was frustrated because he was given a failing grade in his World History class,{{cite news | first=Joseph L. | last=Wagner | title=Shooter Asa Coon was failing, says wounded SuccessTech teacher Michael Grassie | date=2007-10-16 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/failing.html | work=The Plain Dealer | accessdate=2009-03-07 | archive-date=2009-04-13 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413185847/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/failing.html | url-status=dead }} and had made attempts to goad him into a fight.{{cite news |agency= Associated Press| title=Teacher: Cleveland School Shooter Upset About Failing History | date=2007-10-15 | publisher=Fox News | url =https://www.foxnews.com/story/teacher-cleveland-school-shooter-upset-about-failing-history | access-date = 2009-03-07 }}

In 1997, a social worker in Cortland County, New York, reported that three-year-old Coon was living with his family in a garbage-shrewn house, and his older brother threatened neighbors with knives, rocks, and a fake bomb. When Coon was four, his mother, Lori Looney, was convicted of neglect by the county juvenile court.{{Cite web |date=2007-10-13 |title=New round of US shootings claims young lives |url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2007/10/shoo-o13.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=World Socialist Web Site |language=en}}

Social workers got involved again later. In 1999, Coon shot himself in the arm with his brother's BB gun, which was then turned over to the police by their mother, who did not know where the toy came from. It turned out that the toy was a gift from the boys father, Thomas Coon, who was largely not involved in the boys lives. In 2000, Coon had burn and scratch marks on him. He scratched himself because of flea bites, but he refused to say where the burn marks came from. Someone allegedly said that his brother had burned him.{{Cite web |last=Rachel Dissell |first=The Plain Dealer |date=2007-10-11 |title=Social workers dealt with Asa Coon |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/social_workers_dealt_with_asa.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=cleveland |language=en}}

Juvenile Court records show that Coon had a criminal history and mental health problems since 2005, and threatened to commit suicide while in a mental health facility in summer 2006.{{cite news | first=Joe | last=Milicia | title=Cleveland boy shoots 4, himself at school | date=2007-10-11 | url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071011/NEWS/710110398 | work=The Press Democrat | accessdate=2009-03-07 | archive-date=2011-07-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726215116/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071011/NEWS/710110398 | url-status=dead }} For striking his mother in 2005, Coon was forced to undergo probation, counseling, and community service.{{Cite web |last=Karl Turner |first=cleveland com |date=2007-10-11 |title=Who was Asa Coon? |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/who_was_asa_coon.html |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=cleveland |language=en}}

At 2:50 p.m., an hour-and-a-half after the shooting, Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson announced in a news conference that five people, including three students, were hurt in a shooting at the SuccessTech Academy. Four of them were shot; the students being in "stable" condition and the adults being in a more "elevated" state.{{cite news | title=School shooting: 4 shot; gunman takes own life; police say teen led troubled life | date=2007-10-10 | publisher=WKYC | url =http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=75854 | accessdate = 2009-03-15 }}

Classes throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan School District were canceled the following two days and resumed on Monday, October 15, and classes at SuccessTech Academy did not resume until Tuesday, October 16.{{cite news | first=Jesse | last=Tinsley | title=Cleveland schools reopen today, with new security plan | date=2007-10-15 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/reopen.html | work=The Plain Dealer | accessdate=2009-03-07 | archive-date=2009-04-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416081421/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/reopen.html | url-status=dead }} Cleveland's public school system established an anonymous hotline for students to report threats and dangerous behavior. The school system also announced plans to install metal detectors in all its schools and hire additional armed security guards to patrol the campuses. Schools were instructed to implement additional security precautions, to be reviewed by a professional security firm.

{{cite web | title = Crime scene photograph from school shooting makes way to Internet | publisher = WKYC | url = http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=76168 | accessdate = 2007-10-15 }}

A crime scene photo taken of Coon after his suicide was posted by Cleveland disc jockey Shane French (Rover) on a webpage promoting Rover's Morning Glory and soon taken down. Mayor Jackson called the photo, which he did not see, "extremely inappropriate".[http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/index.ssf/2007/10/internet_posting_of_asa_coon_d.html "Internet posting of Asa Coon death photo tracked", by Amanda Garret, The Plain Dealer] Cleveland police officer Walter Emerick, who took the picture using his cell phone camera, was suspended from duty for eight days for sending the photo to other people, who eventually leaked it to the Internet.{{cite news | first=Mark | last=Puente | author2=Patrick O'Donnell | title=Asa Coon's photo on Web results in officer's suspension | date=2007-12-18 | url=http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/photo_taken.html | work=The Plain Dealer | accessdate=2009-03-07 | archive-date=2009-04-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412002555/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/photo_taken.html | url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikinews|Shootings in Cleveland high school leave five injured, gunman killed}}

• [http://www.cleveland.com/news/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin/view_gallery.cgi/cleve/view_gallery.ata?g_id=7453 Cleveland.com — Coverage of the SuccessTech Academy shooting] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080902031611/http://www.cleveland.com/news/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin%2Fview_gallery.cgi%2Fcleve%2Fview_gallery.ata%3Fg_id=7453 |date=2008-09-02 }}

{{Mass shootings in the United States in the 2000s}}

{{School shootings in the United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:SuccessTech Academy shooting, 2007}}

Category:2000s in Cleveland

Category:2007 in Ohio

Category:2007 mass shootings in the United States

Category:Attacks on schools in 2007

Category:Crimes in Cleveland

Category:High school shootings in the United States

Category:Mass shootings in Ohio

Category:Non-fatal shootings

Category:October 2007 crimes in the United States

Category:School shootings committed by pupils

Category:School shootings in Ohio

Category:Suicides by firearm in Ohio