Lane, was officially charged with murder after his shooting rampage left three fellow students dead. Next week, a juvenile court in Geauga County, Ohio will decide whether or not Lane will be tried as an adult in court. As it stands, as a juvenile he is not able to receive the death penalty. On Monday, February 27th, Lane opened fire on a group of students at Chardon High School, the high school he attended for at-risk students. Lane killed three students and wounded two others. He was charged with three counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated attempted murder, and one count of felonious assault (The Washington Post). .
Lane took a .22 caliber Ruger pistol and a knife to school on Monday morning and then opened fire on a group of students sitting at a cafeteria table. He later confessed to the murders. Lane fired ten shots before Frank Hall, the assistant football coach, chased him out of the school (The Washington Post).
"I don't know why this happened. I only wish I could have done more. I'm not a hero. I'm a football coach and a study hall teacher. Law enforcement, first responders .they are the heroes," Hall said (The Washington Post). .
Despite Lane's confessions and charges, no motive has been offered for his crimes. Lane maintains that he was shooting at random and did not know the victims, but many of his classmates disagree. In fact, Lane rode the bus with several of the targets and dated the same girl as one of the other victims (Tavernise).
Lane might not have had the easiest childhood, but his friends and neighbors are in shock that he was the shooter. They described Lane as a good listener who liked to skateboard, be outside, and care for his dog. He had recently taking classes to catch up in school and even planned on going to college (Tavernise). .
"That's not the T.J. I know," said Whitney Goodlive, a friend of Lane who had moved in 2010 but stayed in touch with him.