Families, school officials react to school lockdown
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- After suicide and shooting threats surfaced on Facebook leading to a district-wide school lockdown, officials and family spoke about the situation.
Dorothy Brunskill has granddaughters who attend South Umpqua Schools. She says she never thought it would happen to her family. "I was way concerned, I started shaking," she said.
She says her son called about the Facebook post that prompted the lockdown on Wednesday. "You feel helpless," Dorothy said. "I never thought it would happen here."
But it did, and Dorothy says she's happy with the way teachers reacted.
So is her fourth grade granddaughter Zoe Brunskill. "She made me feel safe because I know Mrs. Bean, she'll protect us," Zoe said.
Steve Kelley, the South Umpqua School District Superintendent, says he's also pleased with the way things were handled, but admits there is one thing he will do different next time. "I think everything went exceptionally well, I think one of the things that would have helped the situation, is that I allowed parents to pick up their children," said Kelley. "Probably in the future, I wouldn't do that. It helps us keep the campus more secure."
Kelley says in the future, authorities will give feedback on lockdown drills and school security.
Police have identified the suspect that allegedly caused the lockdown as Wesley William Snyder (AKA Miller), 22, of Myrtle Creek.
The school district says Snyder was previously a student in the South Umpqua School District, but is not currently attending school there.
Police say Snyder was taken into custody after a brief struggle, and is being charged by police with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
The lockdown ended at around 11:20, and Snyder was taken to the Douglas County Jail.
He was charged by authorities with several crimes, including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Nope, kids a raging lunatic. I know him unfortunatly and what he needs is a mental ward not prison. He has extreme problems mentaly, and is in no way a "good kid" what ever happened to him in his past is unfortunate but in no way excuses his actions what so ever. It was clearly a cry for attention, if you read his facebook posts Its apparent. He needs serious mental help and for once, just once, im glad the dcso took there jobs beyond messing with people for petty bs and actually stopped a possible tragety.
It's difficult to know what to do, how to react, and/or know what is in everyone's best interest - this mother should be applauded what she did. No one got hurt because of her words...
Yes, I do know of other that had to go through this (family - brother and father, and family friends)... They are still dealing with the after mass of a tragedy- 2011, still haunts them daily, people were injured, and a person is no longer with us!
Bad background or not, it's wrong! Sorry for his past and/or current situations, but dang. Maybe you family members obviously need to be listening to him and supporting him outside of a jail call? You family members should think about how upset these kids were and are! I hope this young man gets some support somewhere! PS Pictures don't show up on the jail website due to their system is down.
I understand friends and family wanting to protect this young man, but you also need to respect the communities right to know about a danger to society. This young man is clearly, deeply disturbed for whatever reason, but innocent people deserve protection from him. I hope that he receives the mental help that he needs and he is not let out to hurt innocent people. His mother did a very courageous thing and I pray to give her strength because no mother should ever have to go through what she is going through.
yes when I lived in Florida
Personally there is NO acceptable reasoning behind his actions. That's not a simple typo. I don't care if he needed attention and made suicide threats but a good persons brain should never even fathom taking out innocent children with them.
standing guard does not fix the problem only masks it.
to let you all know we are on the phone with wes at this moment as I type.his mom did turn on him he made a mistake but is a good kid,so lynch mob back off a little and get all the facts....
Wouldnt mind breaking out my BDUs and standing with you Brian gunderson
knew people in the Columbine shooting in Colorado
heard his mom turned him in
I have a cousin that goes to school down there. I wouldn't think twice about standing down there in my Army uniform standing tall protecting the kids.
no image tho
it was wesley william miller right?
Yes, two of my kids were attending Roseburg High when there was a shooting in 2006, and my youngest goes to South Umpqua High now. It's a shame the schools are a target for this sort of thing.
he is not listed in custody so i thought he got out n a friend said he was out so ty 4 sharing kpic i see he is there .....
There were extremes on every side. I hope people see a way to grow from this and not let fear help guide future choices
Worthless... Don't care about his background. You don't threaten to shoot kids.
Karen, he is currently in custody, and is not out of jail.
no but want to know how he is out of jail already.......hmmmmm....