Our school district will cooperate fully with the active law enforcement investigation surrounding this case, and as such, we are limited in what we can publicly disclose.
Moving forward, we will work closely with law enforcement investigators and share information as appropriate regarding school district policies, the active investigation, and law enforcement protocols.
Otherwise, we would direct all media inquiries to those handling the investigation for more information.
CORRECTING THE RECORD:
The school district will occasionally use this space to clarify any common misconceptions that may exist about this incident.
Rifle Team Involvement:
It has been reported that the shooter was a member of the Bethel Park High School rifle team or tried out for it but was dismissed due to poor performance or because the coach had character concerns. The assailant was never a member of the school's rifle team and we have no record of him trying out. The coach does not recall meeting him. However, it is possible that the shooter informally attended a practice, took a shot, and never returned. We don't have any record of that happening.
Threats of Violence:
There is a false claim that the shooter once threatened violence against the school. In 2019, there was an unfortunate incident involving threats made by a different student against specific school administrators. That incident was thoroughly investigated and quickly addressed, and the student involved received appropriate discipline. It had no connection whatsoever to the would be assassin.
Bullying:
There is a painful misconception that one of our students was relentlessly bullied in school, which may have led to the assassination attempt on former President Trump. The school district maintains detailed records, including academic performance, attendance, disciplinary history, and health records. According to our records, the shooter excelled academically, regularly attended school, and had no disciplinary incidents, including those related to bullying or threats.
The assailant was known as a quiet, bright young man who generally got along with his teachers and classmates.
Since graduating in 2022, the shooter earned an associate's degree in engineering science from the Community College of Allegheny County and worked as a dietary aide at Bethel Park Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. It would be wildly irresponsible for us to speculate on his state of mind in the two years since we last saw the failed assassin.