On April 24, 1998, the Parker Middle School community gathered for their annual 8th grade dinner and dance in Edinboro, PA. John Gillette was a beloved science teacher and coach, and was helping to chaperone the evening. Little did they know, one of the 14-year-old students was struggling with a major mental illness and had gained access to his father’s unsecured handgun. John had gone out to the patio to ask the students to come inside, when the shooter suddenly attacked, killing John then entering the dance hall and injuring another teacher and two students.

It could have been prevented if the gun had been secured and not easily accessible to the young shooter.

This is Abby’s story of her father, John.