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{{short description|Mass shooting in West Paducah, Kentucky}}
<!--]-->
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
The '''Heath High School shooting''' occurred at Heath High School in ], ], on Monday ], ]. Fourteen-year-old ] opened fire on a group of praying students killing 3 girls and wounding 5 others.
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 1997 Heath High School shooting
| date = {{Start date and age|1997|12|01}}
| time = 7:45 a.m.
| target =
| type = ], ]
| fatalities = 3
| injuries = 6 (5 by gunfire, 1 by graze)
| perp = Michael Adam Carneal
| image =
| caption =
| timezone = ]
| location = ], U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|37.0790|-88.7944|region:US-KY}}
| map = {{Location map | USA # USA Kentucky
| float = center
| width = 250
| label = Location of Heath High School
| coordinates = {{coord|37.0790|-88.7944}}
}}
| weapon = ] ] pistol<ref>{{Cite web|last=Adams|first=Lauren|date=2014-11-20|title=Survivors remember deadly Ky. school shooting 17 years later|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/survivors-remember-deadly-ky-school-shooting-17-years-later/3753900|access-date=2021-01-28|website=WLKY|language=en}}</ref>
| motive = Undetermined
}}

The '''Heath High School shooting''' occurred at ] in ], ], on December 1, 1997, when 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a group of students, killing three and injuring six.

==Shooting==
On December 1, 1997, Carneal wrapped a shotgun and a rifle in a blanket and took them to school, passing them off as an art project he was working on. He carried a loaded ] ] ] in his backpack. Carneal rode to school with his sister and arrived at approximately 7:45&nbsp;a.m. When he arrived, he inserted ]s into his ears and took the pistol out of his bag. He fired ten rounds in fast succession at a student ]. Three girls later died and six other students were wounded.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2019-06-13 |title=Missy Jenkins Smith |url=https://momsdemandaction.org/missy-jenkins-smith/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Moms Demand Action |language=en-us}}</ref>

Brittney Thomas, a survivor, said that when she turned around during the shooting, she was "kind of facing down the barrel of the gun."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Remembering-a-deadly-Kentucky-high-school-shooting-20-years-later-461092173.html|title=Remembering a deadly Kentucky high school shooting 20 years later|last=Philpott|first=Amber|date=November 30, 2017|access-date=June 4, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

A member of the group, Benjamin Strong, testified that Carneal dropped the gun of his own accord after the shooting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/25/us/when-grief-wanted-a-hero-truth-didn-t-get-in-the-way.html|title=When Grief Wanted a Hero, Truth Didn't Get in the Way|last=Glaberson|first=William|date=July 25, 2000|work=]|access-date=January 15, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Carneal placed his pistol on the ground and surrendered to the school principal, Bill Bond. After dropping the gun, Carneal said to Strong: "Kill me, please. I can't believe I did that."<ref>{{cite magazine| first=Julie| last=Grace| url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,137027,00.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204192910/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/printout/0,8816,137027,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=February 4, 2013 | magazine=] | title=When The Silence Fell | date=June 24, 2001 | access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref>


==Victims== ==Victims==

===Deceased===
===Killed===
*Nicole Hadley was a fourteen-year-old freshman. Nicole was kept alive until 10:00pm the evening of the shooting. Nicole played in the school band and on the freshman basketball team. She was a member of the Heartland Baptist Worship Center and the Heartland Baptist Youth Group. Her family had moved to Paducah from Nebraska the year before the shooting. Her parents received praise for their decision to donate Nicole's organs, a decision they said their daughter supported. President Clinton cited the family's "courageous decision" in his Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=55804|title= Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week|accessdate=1998]}}.</ref>
* Nicole Hadley was a fourteen-year-old ] who played in the school band and on the freshman basketball team. She was kept alive until 10:00 pm the evening of the shooting. Her family had moved to Paducah from Nebraska the year before. Her parents were praised for donating her organs. President ] cited this "courageous decision" in his Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=55804|title=Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week}}.</ref>
*Jessica James was a seventeen-year-old senior. Jessica died in surgery at Western Baptist Hospital Monday afternoon.
* Jessica James was a seventeen-year-old ] and member of the marching band. She died in surgery at Western Baptist Hospital the afternoon of the shooting.
*Kayce Steger was a fifteen-year-old sophomore. Kayce died at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah about 45 minutes after the shooting. Kayce played clarinet in the school band, played on the softball team, and was a member of the Agape Club. She was an honor student, worked at Subway, and attended 12th Street Baptist Church. She was a member of Law Enforcement Explorers Post 111 and hoped to be a police officer. Her parents reported that Michael Carneal had asked her out on a date a little over a month before the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|accessdate=2002]}}.</ref>
* Kayce Steger was a fifteen-year-old ], a clarinetist in the school band and a member of the Agape Club and softball team. She died at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah about 45 minutes after the shooting. She was an honor student and member of ] Post 111 who hoped to be a police officer.<ref name="National Research Council 2002">{{cite book|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|year= 2003|doi= 10.17226/10370|isbn= 978-0-309-08412-3}}.</ref>


===Wounded=== ===Wounded===
*Shelley Schaberg, 17 at the time, was described by the principal as the school’s best female athlete. Voted Miss Heath High School by the senior class, Shelley was homecoming queen. Though her injuries from the shooting prevented her from playing basketball, her college honored her basketball scholarship and she went on to play college soccer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|accessdate=2002]}}.</ref> * Shelley Schaberg, 17, was described by the principal as the school's best female athlete. Voted Miss Heath High School by the senior class, Shelley was ] queen. Although her injuries from the shooting prevented her from playing basketball, her college honored her basketball scholarship and she went on to play college soccer.<ref name="National Research Council 2002"/>
*Melissa “Missy” Jenkins, age 15 at the time, was president of the Future Homemakers of America. She was paralyzed from the waist down in the shooting. Missy has appeared on numerous national and local television shows, talked to newspaper reporters and is appearing in two TV commercials for Channel One, an educational channel that reaches schools throughout the country. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=31462|title= Victims of the attack find different ways to move on with lives |author=Joseph Gerth|accessdate=2001]}}.</ref> * Melissa "Missy" Jenkins, 15, was president of the ]. She was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot. She has appeared on numerous national and local television shows, talked to newspaper reporters and appeared in two TV commercials for ], an educational channel that reaches schools throughout the country. A video interview of her was featured on the homepage of YouTube.com on April 22, 2007.<ref name="Joseph Gerth 2001">{{cite web|url=http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=31462|title=Victims of the attack find different ways to move on with lives|author=Joseph Gerth}}.</ref>
* Mandy Jenkins, 15, was the twin sister of Melissa Jenkins. A bullet grazed her neck.<ref name=":2" />
*Kelly Hard, 16 at the time, was a member of the softball team and the Future Homemakers of America. She transferred to the local Catholic school the year after the shooting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|accessdate=2002]}}.</ref>
* Kelly Hard Alsip,<ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.wave3.com/story/8994275/michael-carneals-victims-and-families-talk-about-his-request-for-a-new-trial?redirected=true | magazine=Time | title=Michael Carneal's victims and families talk about his request for a new trial | date=2008-09-11 | access-date=2011-06-21}}</ref> 16, was a member of the softball team and the Future Homemakers of America. She transferred to the local Catholic school the year after the shooting.<ref name="NRC"/>
*Hollan Holm, age 14 at the time, was a member of the Academic Team, the Spanish Club, and the Science Olympiad. In his valedictory speech at the class of 2001 graduation, he reminded his class that they had lost not one but two members on December 1, 1997,: Nicole Hadley and Michael Carneal. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|accessdate=2002]}}.</ref>Holm has been involved with an organization that urges students to speak up if they know of threats against schools or students. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=31462|title= Victims of the attack find different ways to move on with lives |author=Joseph Gerth|accessdate=2001]}}.</ref>
*Craig Keene, age 15 at the time, was a member of the Agape Club, the band, and the basketball team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title= Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|accessdate=2002]}}.</ref> * Hollan Holm, 14, was a member of the Academic Team, the Spanish Club, and the ]. In his ] speech at the class of 2001 graduation, he reminded his class that they had lost not one but two class members on December 1, 1997: Nicole Hadley and Michael Carneal.<ref name="NRC">{{cite book|url=http://www.nap.edu/openbook/0309084121/html/139.html|title=Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence|author=National Research Council|year=2003 |doi=10.17226/10370 |isbn=978-0-309-08412-3 }}</ref> Holm has been involved with an organization that urges students to speak up if they know of threats against schools or students.<ref name="Joseph Gerth 2001"/>
* Craig Keene, 15, was a member of the Agape Club, the band, and the basketball team.<ref name ="NRC"/>


==Perpetrator== ==Perpetrator==
{{Infobox criminal
===Possible Motives===
| image_name =
Because of his small frame and physical weakness, Carneal was frequently bullied. He would bring items to schools and sell them in an attempt to make friends. People who knew Michael Carneal described him as physically weak and emotionally immature.
| name = Michael Carneal
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|6|1}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| alias =
| charge = ], ]
| conviction_penalty = ] with no ] for 25 years (parole denied in 2022; sentence to be served out)
| conviction_status = Incarcerated
| occupation =
| spouse =
| parents = John Adam Carneal
| birth_name = Michael Adam Carneal
}}


Michael Adam Carneal was a 14-year-old freshman at the time of the shooting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/us/school-shooting-kentucky-west-paducah/index.html|title=20 years ago, another Kentucky school was attacked. Locals have never forgotten it|first=Madison |last=Park|work=CNN|access-date=2018-06-04}}</ref> Carneal told reporters that he could not give a single explanation for his crimes, and that contributing factors included a mistaken belief of his that his parents did not love him, taunting from classmates, and false claims he was gay. He stated that he did not know who he was aiming at until he read the names in the paper.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/01/24/sister-paducah-shooting-victim-couldnt-believe-could-happen-again/1060899001/|title=Sister of Paducah, Ky., shooting victim: 'I couldn't believe this could happen again'|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en}}</ref>
Carneal's name was published in a middle school paper claiming that he had feelings for another male student. This led to more name-calling, with students now calling names such as "homo" and "faggot" among others.


Weeks before the incident, Carneal had stolen a ] ] from his parents' room and attempted to sell it. A student took the gun, threatening to tell police if Carneal did not give it to him. Carneal had told students that "something big is going to happen on Monday" but no one took him seriously.
(Citation needed in all these facts)


In the weeks before the shooting, Carneal stole several firearms from both his own home and a neighbor's home.
===School Performance===
Carneal was a B-student at Heath High School. He was also said to be a good student with no discipline problems.


On the afternoon of ], Carneal went to his neighbor's home and broke into the garage, taking four ], a 30-30 rifle, .22 and 12&nbsp;gauge ammunition and earplugs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bragg |first=Rick |author-link=Rick Bragg |date=3 December 1997 |title=Forgiveness, after 3&nbsp;die in shootings in Kentucky |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/03/us/forgiveness-after-3-die-in-shootings-in-kentucky.html |access-date=6 April 2018 |newspaper=] |location=New York, NY}}</ref>
===Paranoia===
{{Unreferenced|date=December 2006}}
Carneal suffered from severe ] and exhibited several irrational fears:


Later, he stole a Ruger .22 pistol and several .22 magazines.<ref>{{cite web |date=12 December 1997 |title=UPI Focus: Boy indicted in Ky. school shooting |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1997/12/12/UPI-Focus-Boy-indicted-in-Ky-school-shooting/1067881902800/ |access-date=5 April 2018 |work=] |publisher=News World Communications |location=Boca Raton, Florida}}</ref>
*He was afraid that people would watch him or attack him from the air vents in his house. Because of this, he covered up the vents in his bathroom when he showered or used the toilet. He would also cover himself with at least six towels as soon as he got out of the shower


Presumably sometime after Thanksgiving, Carneal stole two shotguns from his father's closet and hid them under his bed.
*He was afraid that people would use chainsaws to cut through his floor and saw into his feet. Because of this he was very anxious about walking into and out of his room, and would often jump from pieces of furniture to his bed to avoid stepping on the carpet.


=== Mental illness ===
*He concealed several knives in his mattress to defend himself in case an intruder attacked
According to reports, Carneal had been ] by other students and had anxiety, depression, and severe paranoia. His paranoia was manifested in habits such as covering up vents and windows while in bathrooms, because he believed he was being watched.<ref name="NY Times, 2000">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/04/us/finding-futility-in-trying-to-lay-blame-in-killings.html |title=Finding futility in trying to lay blame in killings |newspaper=] |date=2000-08-04}}.</ref> Following the shooting, Carneal was diagnosed with ] and ]. Kathleen O'Connor, who treated Carneal while he was incarcerated at the Northern Kentucky Youth Development Center, initially agreed with this diagnosis but later determined that Carneal had ].<ref name="Carneal v. Crews">{{cite web |url=https://casetext.com/case/carneal-v-crews-3 |title=Carneal v. Crews |website=CaseText |language=en |access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref><ref name="Commonwealth v. Carneal">{{cite web |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ky-supreme-court/1150930.html |title=Commonwealth v. Carneal |series=Supreme Court of Kentucky case and opinions |website=Findlaw |access-date=2018-01-15}}</ref>


] and Diane Schetky, who evaluated Carneal after the shooting, later changed their diagnosis to schizophrenia.<ref name="Carneal v. Crews"/><ref name="Commonwealth v. Carneal"/> He has been hospitalized several times since the start of his incarceration due to psychosis, and takes the ] ] and ], an ] used to treat schizophrenia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wdrb.com/story/13279449/school-shooter-michael-carneal-discusses-delusions |title=School shooter Michael Carneal recalls delusions |publisher=] |location=Louisville, Kentucky |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Carrie |last=Harned |url=http://www.wave3.com/story/932794/carneal-recalls-1997-high-school-shooting-rampage?clienttype=printable |title=Carneal recalls 1997 high school shooting rampage |publisher=WAVE3 News |date=12 September 2002 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>
*He was frequently anxious that a burglar would break into his home.


===Warning Signs=== === Stephen King ===
Carneal had in his locker at the time a copy of ]'s novel ], first published in 1977 under the pseudonym ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smythe |first=James |date=July 3, 2012 |title=Rereading Stephen King: week four – Rage |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jul/03/rereading-stephen-king-rage |access-date=April 15, 2024 |website=Guardian}}</ref> After this shooting, King requested his publisher to allow it to go out of print, fearing that it might inspire similar tragedies. ''Rage'' for a time continued to be available in the United Kingdom in '']'' collection, although the collection now no longer contains ''Rage.''
Weeks before the incident, Carneal stole a .38 handgun from his parents' room and attempted to sell it. A student took the gun, threatening to tell police if Carnael didn't give it to him. The student promised to pay Carnael later, but never did.


== Trial ==
Additionally, Carneal had told students that "something big is going to happen on Friday" but no-one took him seriously. In fact, the shooting took place on a Monday, not a Friday.
In October 1998, a guilty plea from Carneal was accepted due to his mental illness. Under a plea arrangement, the judge agreed to accept the pleas on condition that Carneal would receive a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 25 years (2022). According to prosecutor Tim Kaltenbach, the plea allows Carneal to receive mental health treatment during imprisonment as long as this is necessary for him or until he is released.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2017/11/28/20-years-later-michael-carneal/|title=Heath 20 Years Later: Michael Carneal|date=2017-11-28|work=WPSD Local 6 - Your News, Weather, & Sports Authority|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-US}}</ref>


Carneal was transported to the ] in ] when he turned 18 where he remains. Prior to that he was held in at Northern Kentucky Youth Development Center, a ] facility in ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9810/05/paducah.shooting/|title=Kentucky school shooter - guilty but mentally ill|date=1998-10-05|access-date=2007-11-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913115713/http://www.cnn.com/US/9810/05/paducah.shooting/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2007-09-13|publisher=CNN}}</ref> Carneal's ] (KDOC) ID is 151127. Carneal began serving time with KDOC on June 1, 2001.<ref>"" ]. Retrieved on December 2, 2015.</ref>
===Firearms===
In the weeks before the shooting, Carneal stole several firearms from both his own home and a friend's home.
===Friend's home===
On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day Carneal went to a friend's home and broke into their garage, taking:
*Four ] rifles
*A 30-30 rifle
*.22 and ] ammunition
*Earplugs


In 2007, Carneal filed an appeal claiming that he was too mentally ill to plead guilty to the shooting at Heath High School. He asked the ] for a re-trial. Prosecutors appealed and the Kentucky Supreme Court rejected his request.
Later, he also stole:
*A ] .22 pistol
*Several .22 magazines


In 2012, he attempted to withdraw his plea claiming he was mentally ill at the time he made it. Later in the year the ] denied the request, stating he should have acted sooner.<ref name=":1" /> He was originally scheduled to be eligible for parole on November 16, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Offender Information |url=http://kool.corrections.ky.gov/KOOL/Details/246005 |website=Kentucky Online Offender Lookup |publisher=Kentucky Department of Corrections |access-date=25 May 2022}}</ref> However, his hearing was rescheduled and began on September 19, 2022.
===Own Home===
Presumably sometime after Thanksgiving Day, Carneal stole two shotguns from his father's closet and hid them under his bed.


=== Parole denial ===
==December 1st, 1997: Shooting at Heath High School==
On September 26, 2022, the parole board unanimously denied Carneal's bid for parole and ordered him to serve out the remainder of his life sentence.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Salahieh|first1=Nouran|last2=Watson|first2=Michelle|title=Kentucky Parole Board votes to have Paducah school shooter serve out life sentence|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/26/us/paducah-kentucky-michael-carneal-parole-full-board-hearing/index.html|work=CNN|date=26 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Kentucky school shooter imprisoned 25 years seeks parole|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/kentucky-school-shooter-imprisoned-25-years-seeks-parole-90131674|work=ABC News|date=19 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Planas |first=Antonio |date=26 September 2022 |title=Kentucky school shooter who killed 3 students in 1997 is denied parole and will serve out his life sentence |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kentucky-man-killed-3-school-shooting-1997-denied-parole-rcna48529 |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=]}}</ref> The "serve out" ruling, under Kentucky law, means the inmate in question cannot be considered for any future parole hearings (though commutation or a pardon from the governor is still possible).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kentucky |first1=State of |title=Application for Pardons and Commutations |url=https://governor.ky.gov/services/application-for-pardons-and-commutations |website=Application for Pardons and Commutations |publisher=State of Kentucky |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref> This means Carneal's life with parole sentence is now effectively a life ''without'' parole (or "whole life") sentence.
On the 1st of December Carneal wrapped two shotguns and two rifles in a blanket and took them to school, passing them off as props for a school play. He also carried the loaded .22 pistol in his backpack. Carneal rode to school with his sister and arrived at approximately 7:45AM. When he arrived he inserted ear plugs and pulled the pistol out of his bag. He fired 8 rounds in quick succession at a youth prayer group.
After seeing that he had killed a friend of his (Nicole Hadley), he placed his pistol on the ground and surrendered to the school principal Bill Bond.


=== Settlement for families ===
==Sentencing==
The families of the deceased have agreed to a $42{{nbs}}million settlement from Carneal. At the time of settlement Carneal had no assets and his family's insurance company, ], has insisted repeatedly through court motions that it is not liable for his actions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=96287&page=1|title=Paducah Families Accept Shooting Settlement|date=January 7, 2006|website=]|language=en|access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref>
Carneal was sentenced to three concurrent life sentences for 3 counts of murder and an additional 120 years for 5 counts of attempted murder and ].


==Lawsuit== ==Lawsuit==
{{See also|Natural Born Killers copycat crimes#Heath High School shooting}}
In early 1999, the parents of three victims represented by ] filed a $33&nbsp;million lawsuit against two Internet ] sites, several computer game companies and makers and distributors of the 1994 film '']'' and the 1995 film '']''. They claimed that media violence inspired Carneal and therefore should be held responsible for the deaths that occurred.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/13/us/media-companies-are-sued-in-kentucky-shooting.html |title= Media companies are sued in Kentucky shooting |newspaper=] |date=13 April 1999 |access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> Both Thompson<ref>{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Danielson |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/032200/Floridian/Programmed_to_kill.shtml |title=Programmed to kill |newspaper=St.&nbsp;Petersburg Times |publisher=] |location=St.&nbsp;Petersburg, Florida |date=22 March 2000 |access-date=14 March 2009}}</ref> and ] ] claimed Carneal's proficient marksmanship was due to practice in violent video games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/politics/law/news/2001/04/42856 |title=Ashcroft attacks video violence |work=] |publisher=] |location=New York, NY |date=5 April 2001 |access-date=14 March 2009}}</ref> The case was dismissed in 2002, with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that it was "simply too far a leap from shooting characters on a video screen to shooting people in a classroom."<ref>{{citation |title=James v. Meow Media, Inc. 300 F.3d 683 |year=2002 |publisher=U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals}}</ref>


==Memorials==
In early 1999, the parents of three victims filed a $130 million lawsuit against two Internet pornography sites, several computer game companies and makers and distributors of 1995 film ]. They claimed that media violence inspired Carneal and therefore should be held responsible. <ref>{{cite |title= Media Companies Are Sued in Kentucky Shooting|author=AP, The New York Times|accessdate= April 13, 1999 ]}}.</ref>
Family of victims organized a 20th anniversary service to commemorate the victims, and open a memorial for the victims placed across the street from the school. The memorial was built in a circle to symbolize the prayer circle that was targeted, with five benches representing the five surviving victims.<ref name=":0" />

The case was dismissed in 2002. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it was "simply too far a leap from shooting characters on a video screen to shooting people in a classroom."<ref>{{cite |title= James v. Meow Media, Inc., 300 F.3d 683 (6th Cir. 2002) ]}}.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Kentucky|1990s}}
*]
* ], which occurred about {{convert|40|mi|km|round=5}} away
*]
* ]

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* *

*
{{Mass shootings in the United States in the 1990s}}
{{School shootings in the United States}}
{{video game controversy}}


{{coord|37|04|43|N|88|47|36|W|scale:5000|display=title}}
==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Heath High School shooting, 1997}}
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Latest revision as of 20:05, 3 January 2025

Mass shooting in West Paducah, Kentucky

1997 Heath High School shooting
Location of Heath High School is located in the United StatesLocation of Heath High SchoolLocation of Heath High SchoolLocation of Heath High School (the United States)Show map of the United StatesLocation of Heath High School is located in KentuckyLocation of Heath High SchoolLocation of Heath High SchoolLocation of Heath High School (Kentucky)Show map of Kentucky
LocationWest Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.
Coordinates37°04′44″N 88°47′40″W / 37.0790°N 88.7944°W / 37.0790; -88.7944
DateDecember 1, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-12-01)
7:45 a.m. (CST)
Attack typeSchool shooting, mass shooting
WeaponRuger MK II .22-caliber pistol
Deaths3
Injured6 (5 by gunfire, 1 by graze)
PerpetratorMichael Adam Carneal
MotiveUndetermined

The Heath High School shooting occurred at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky, on December 1, 1997, when 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a group of students, killing three and injuring six.

Shooting

On December 1, 1997, Carneal wrapped a shotgun and a rifle in a blanket and took them to school, passing them off as an art project he was working on. He carried a loaded Ruger MK II .22-caliber pistol in his backpack. Carneal rode to school with his sister and arrived at approximately 7:45 a.m. When he arrived, he inserted earplugs into his ears and took the pistol out of his bag. He fired ten rounds in fast succession at a student prayer group. Three girls later died and six other students were wounded.

Brittney Thomas, a survivor, said that when she turned around during the shooting, she was "kind of facing down the barrel of the gun."

A member of the group, Benjamin Strong, testified that Carneal dropped the gun of his own accord after the shooting. Carneal placed his pistol on the ground and surrendered to the school principal, Bill Bond. After dropping the gun, Carneal said to Strong: "Kill me, please. I can't believe I did that."

Victims

Killed

  • Nicole Hadley was a fourteen-year-old freshman who played in the school band and on the freshman basketball team. She was kept alive until 10:00 pm the evening of the shooting. Her family had moved to Paducah from Nebraska the year before. Her parents were praised for donating her organs. President Bill Clinton cited this "courageous decision" in his Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week in 1998.
  • Jessica James was a seventeen-year-old senior and member of the marching band. She died in surgery at Western Baptist Hospital the afternoon of the shooting.
  • Kayce Steger was a fifteen-year-old sophomore, a clarinetist in the school band and a member of the Agape Club and softball team. She died at Lourdes Hospital in Paducah about 45 minutes after the shooting. She was an honor student and member of Law Enforcement Explorers Post 111 who hoped to be a police officer.

Wounded

  • Shelley Schaberg, 17, was described by the principal as the school's best female athlete. Voted Miss Heath High School by the senior class, Shelley was homecoming queen. Although her injuries from the shooting prevented her from playing basketball, her college honored her basketball scholarship and she went on to play college soccer.
  • Melissa "Missy" Jenkins, 15, was president of the Future Homemakers of America. She was paralyzed from the chest down after being shot. She has appeared on numerous national and local television shows, talked to newspaper reporters and appeared in two TV commercials for Channel One News, an educational channel that reaches schools throughout the country. A video interview of her was featured on the homepage of YouTube.com on April 22, 2007.
  • Mandy Jenkins, 15, was the twin sister of Melissa Jenkins. A bullet grazed her neck.
  • Kelly Hard Alsip, 16, was a member of the softball team and the Future Homemakers of America. She transferred to the local Catholic school the year after the shooting.
  • Hollan Holm, 14, was a member of the Academic Team, the Spanish Club, and the Science Olympiad. In his valedictory speech at the class of 2001 graduation, he reminded his class that they had lost not one but two class members on December 1, 1997: Nicole Hadley and Michael Carneal. Holm has been involved with an organization that urges students to speak up if they know of threats against schools or students.
  • Craig Keene, 15, was a member of the Agape Club, the band, and the basketball team.

Perpetrator

Michael Carneal
BornMichael Adam Carneal
(1983-06-01) June 1, 1983 (age 41)
Criminal statusIncarcerated
ParentJohn Adam Carneal
Criminal chargeMurder, Attempted murder
PenaltyLife in prison (x3) with no parole for 25 years (parole denied in 2022; sentence to be served out)

Michael Adam Carneal was a 14-year-old freshman at the time of the shooting. Carneal told reporters that he could not give a single explanation for his crimes, and that contributing factors included a mistaken belief of his that his parents did not love him, taunting from classmates, and false claims he was gay. He stated that he did not know who he was aiming at until he read the names in the paper.

Weeks before the incident, Carneal had stolen a .38 caliber handgun from his parents' room and attempted to sell it. A student took the gun, threatening to tell police if Carneal did not give it to him. Carneal had told students that "something big is going to happen on Monday" but no one took him seriously.

In the weeks before the shooting, Carneal stole several firearms from both his own home and a neighbor's home.

On the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day, Carneal went to his neighbor's home and broke into the garage, taking four .22 rifles, a 30-30 rifle, .22 and 12 gauge ammunition and earplugs.

Later, he stole a Ruger .22 pistol and several .22 magazines.

Presumably sometime after Thanksgiving, Carneal stole two shotguns from his father's closet and hid them under his bed.

Mental illness

According to reports, Carneal had been bullied by other students and had anxiety, depression, and severe paranoia. His paranoia was manifested in habits such as covering up vents and windows while in bathrooms, because he believed he was being watched. Following the shooting, Carneal was diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder and dysthymia. Kathleen O'Connor, who treated Carneal while he was incarcerated at the Northern Kentucky Youth Development Center, initially agreed with this diagnosis but later determined that Carneal had paranoid schizophrenia.

Dewey Cornell and Diane Schetky, who evaluated Carneal after the shooting, later changed their diagnosis to schizophrenia. He has been hospitalized several times since the start of his incarceration due to psychosis, and takes the anti-depressant Zoloft and Geodon, an anti-psychotic used to treat schizophrenia.

Stephen King

Carneal had in his locker at the time a copy of Stephen King's novel Rage, first published in 1977 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. After this shooting, King requested his publisher to allow it to go out of print, fearing that it might inspire similar tragedies. Rage for a time continued to be available in the United Kingdom in The Bachman Books collection, although the collection now no longer contains Rage.

Trial

In October 1998, a guilty plea from Carneal was accepted due to his mental illness. Under a plea arrangement, the judge agreed to accept the pleas on condition that Carneal would receive a life sentence with the possibility of parole in 25 years (2022). According to prosecutor Tim Kaltenbach, the plea allows Carneal to receive mental health treatment during imprisonment as long as this is necessary for him or until he is released.

Carneal was transported to the Kentucky State Reformatory in La Grange when he turned 18 where he remains. Prior to that he was held in at Northern Kentucky Youth Development Center, a Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Crittenden. Carneal's Kentucky Department of Corrections (KDOC) ID is 151127. Carneal began serving time with KDOC on June 1, 2001.

In 2007, Carneal filed an appeal claiming that he was too mentally ill to plead guilty to the shooting at Heath High School. He asked the Kentucky Supreme Court for a re-trial. Prosecutors appealed and the Kentucky Supreme Court rejected his request.

In 2012, he attempted to withdraw his plea claiming he was mentally ill at the time he made it. Later in the year the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the request, stating he should have acted sooner. He was originally scheduled to be eligible for parole on November 16, 2022. However, his hearing was rescheduled and began on September 19, 2022.

Parole denial

On September 26, 2022, the parole board unanimously denied Carneal's bid for parole and ordered him to serve out the remainder of his life sentence. The "serve out" ruling, under Kentucky law, means the inmate in question cannot be considered for any future parole hearings (though commutation or a pardon from the governor is still possible). This means Carneal's life with parole sentence is now effectively a life without parole (or "whole life") sentence.

Settlement for families

The families of the deceased have agreed to a $42 million settlement from Carneal. At the time of settlement Carneal had no assets and his family's insurance company, Kentucky Farm Bureau, has insisted repeatedly through court motions that it is not liable for his actions.

Lawsuit

See also: Natural Born Killers copycat crimes § Heath High School shooting

In early 1999, the parents of three victims represented by Jack Thompson filed a $33 million lawsuit against two Internet pornography sites, several computer game companies and makers and distributors of the 1994 film Natural Born Killers and the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries. They claimed that media violence inspired Carneal and therefore should be held responsible for the deaths that occurred. Both Thompson and United States Attorney General John Ashcroft claimed Carneal's proficient marksmanship was due to practice in violent video games. The case was dismissed in 2002, with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that it was "simply too far a leap from shooting characters on a video screen to shooting people in a classroom."

Memorials

Family of victims organized a 20th anniversary service to commemorate the victims, and open a memorial for the victims placed across the street from the school. The memorial was built in a circle to symbolize the prayer circle that was targeted, with five benches representing the five surviving victims.

See also

References

  1. Adams, Lauren (November 20, 2014). "Survivors remember deadly Ky. school shooting 17 years later". WLKY. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  2. ^ "Missy Jenkins Smith". Moms Demand Action. June 13, 2019. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  3. Philpott, Amber (November 30, 2017). "Remembering a deadly Kentucky high school shooting 20 years later". Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  4. Glaberson, William (July 25, 2000). "When Grief Wanted a Hero, Truth Didn't Get in the Way". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  5. Grace, Julie (June 24, 2001). "When The Silence Fell". Time. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2010.
  6. "Proclamation 7083 on National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week"..
  7. ^ National Research Council (2003). Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence. doi:10.17226/10370. ISBN 978-0-309-08412-3..
  8. ^ Joseph Gerth. "Victims of the attack find different ways to move on with lives"..
  9. "Michael Carneal's victims and families talk about his request for a new trial". Time. September 11, 2008. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  10. ^ National Research Council (2003). Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence. doi:10.17226/10370. ISBN 978-0-309-08412-3.
  11. Park, Madison. "20 years ago, another Kentucky school was attacked. Locals have never forgotten it". CNN. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  12. ^ "Sister of Paducah, Ky., shooting victim: 'I couldn't believe this could happen again'". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  13. Bragg, Rick (December 3, 1997). "Forgiveness, after 3 die in shootings in Kentucky". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved April 6, 2018.
  14. "UPI Focus: Boy indicted in Ky. school shooting". United Press International. Boca Raton, Florida: News World Communications. December 12, 1997. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  15. "Finding futility in trying to lay blame in killings". New York Times. August 4, 2000..
  16. ^ "Carneal v. Crews". CaseText. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  17. ^ "Commonwealth v. Carneal". Findlaw. Supreme Court of Kentucky case and opinions. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  18. "School shooter Michael Carneal recalls delusions". Louisville, Kentucky: WDRB. October 6, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  19. Harned, Carrie (September 12, 2002). "Carneal recalls 1997 high school shooting rampage". WAVE3 News. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  20. Smythe, James (July 3, 2012). "Rereading Stephen King: week four – Rage". Guardian. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  21. ^ "Heath 20 Years Later: Michael Carneal". WPSD Local 6 - Your News, Weather, & Sports Authority. November 28, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  22. "Kentucky school shooter - guilty but mentally ill". CNN. October 5, 1998. Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
  23. "Carneal, Michael A." Kentucky Department of Corrections. Retrieved on December 2, 2015.
  24. "Offender Information". Kentucky Online Offender Lookup. Kentucky Department of Corrections. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  25. Salahieh, Nouran; Watson, Michelle (September 26, 2022). "Kentucky Parole Board votes to have Paducah school shooter serve out life sentence". CNN. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  26. "Kentucky school shooter imprisoned 25 years seeks parole". ABC News. September 19, 2022.
  27. Planas, Antonio (September 26, 2022). "Kentucky school shooter who killed 3 students in 1997 is denied parole and will serve out his life sentence". NBC. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  28. Kentucky, State of. "Application for Pardons and Commutations". Application for Pardons and Commutations. State of Kentucky. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  29. "Paducah Families Accept Shooting Settlement". ABC News. January 7, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  30. "Media companies are sued in Kentucky shooting". The New York Times. April 13, 1999. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
  31. Danielson, Richard (March 22, 2000). "Programmed to kill". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida: Times Publishing Company. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  32. "Ashcroft attacks video violence". Wired.com. New York, NY: Condé Nast. April 5, 2001. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
  33. James v. Meow Media, Inc. 300 F.3d 683, U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, 2002

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