Jonesboro massacre
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The Jonesboro school massacre occurred on March 24, 1998, in Craighead County, Arkansas, near northwestern Jonesboro. Four female students and a teacher were killed, and nine other students and a teacher were wounded, by two armed middle school boys: Mitchell Johnson, age 13, and Andrew Golden, age 11.
On the morning of the massacre, the boys, both dressed in army-style camouflaged clothes, stole a van from Johnson's home and loaded it with camping supplies, food, and seven weapons (two semi-automatic rifles, one bolt-action rifle and four handguns) which had been stolen from Golden's grandfather's house.
[edit] Details
When the boys got to Westside Middle School, Golden set off the fire alarm while Johnson took the weapons to the woods near the school. Golden then ran back to the woods where Johnson had taken the weapons. When children and teachers came out of the school, the two boys opened fire. 13 students and two teachers were hit; Five of the victims died. Afterwards, Golden and Johnson attempted to run back to the van and escape, but were apprehended by police.
The two youths were among the youngest ever charged with murder in American history. The Jonesboro prosecutor later stated that were it not for their ages, he would have sought a death sentence for the pair. In August 1998, they were both sentenced to confinement until they reached the age of 21, the maximum sentence available under Arkansas law. They would have served until only 18 had federal authorities not added additional confinement for weapons charges. Judge Ralph Wilson commented "this is a case where the punishment will not fit the crime." This case led to a wide public outcry for tougher sentencing laws pertaining to juvenile offenders. Since then, the laws regarding young offenders have changed in Arkansas. Had Johnson and Golden committed their crimes several years later, they could have both been charged as adults and imprisoned for life.
Johnson was released from custody on August 11, 2005, his 21st birthday. Golden was released on May 25, 2007.He was only 20 years of age. Many members of the Jonesboro community have since expressed outrage, citing the facts that the killers will not be placed under any supervision and will be able to legally purchase firearms.
[edit] Victims killed
- Natalie Brooks (11)
- Paige Ann Herring (12)
- Stephanie Johnson (12) (no relation to Mitchell Johnson)
- Brittheny R. Varner (11)
- Shannon Wright (32) (teacher)
