Gay Middle Schooler Fatally Shot

Many of you have already heard about this tragic incident. An incident of a young gay eighth grader that was shot in Oxnard, California. I have been processing this event since the occurrence and I have felt really emotional about it. To steal from Peterson, which worked out well for me to share the story with you all, here is what Jim Burroway from Box Turtle Bulletin wrote:

Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student at at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, California was shot at least twice in the head by another classmate last Tuesday. Fellow students say that King was gay and was often taunted by fellow students.

King was rushed to St. John’s Regional Medical Center, where he was initially listed in critical condition. By the end of the day, his condition was reportedly improving. But today we learn that he has been declared brain dead by two neurosurgeons at the hospital on Wednesday at 2 pm. He is being kept on life support so his organs can be harvested for transplant.

Police said the 14-year-old Brandon McInerney shot King at the start of the school day and fled the campus. He was arrested by police a few blocks away. Today, prosecutors charged him with premeditated murder, with a special allegation of using a firearm in the commission of a hate crime. Once King is removed from life support, prosecutors have indicated they will try McInerney as an adult.

This incident is undoubtedly a tragedy. A tragedy that has me shaken up as an out Californian queer in a conservative fundamentalist community that actively reminds me that they don't agree with homosexuality. We certainly do have a long way to go, especially when incidents like this occur. They remind us that younger generations are still being taught a mixed message, a mixed message that is leading to violence.