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Political Cartoons
Shooting at Platte High School
By Cartoon: Mike Keefe of The Denver Post
Project: Cynthia Kirkeby, ClassBrain
Sep 29, 2006, 10:46 PST

© Mike Keefe of The Denver Post 2006


Shooting at Platte High School in Colorado

On September 27, 2006, Duane Morrison walked into Platte High School in Colorado and took six girls hostage at gun point. During the four hour ordeal the gunman apparently sexually assaulted some of the girls. Then as the S.W.A.T. team blew a whole in the wall, prior to the gunman's deadline of 4pm, Duane Morrison fatally shot Emily Keyes in the back of the head.

This shooting raised memories of Columbine, however this shooting wasn't instigated by a student. The shooter, Duane Morrison, was 53 years old and had no apparent connection to the school.

The school's emergency plan that was created after the Columbine shooting is being credited with saving lives in this deadly shooting.


Questions to Ponder

  • Why are gunmen choosing high schools to go out in a blaze of glory?

  • Was there some connection between gunman and the girls who were detained?

  • Was the motive behind this attack strictly sexual?

  • Most schools now require all adults to sign in at the front desk. Is that the reason Duane Morrison attempted to masquerade as a student?

  • What will it take to make high schools safe again?

  • Does your school have an emergency plan in place to deal with violence and other emergencies?


Learning Links

Girl in school standoff told family: "I love you" Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:09pm ET173
Source: Reuters

Colorado school gunman kills girl, himself
Source: Stuff.co.nz

Colo. School Attack 'Sexual in Nature'
Source: McCall.com

School Emergency Planning
Source: US Department of Education

Emergency Preparedness: A Quick Guide for School Staff
Source: The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools



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