Arne Duncan on the Tragic Shootings at Chardon High School

"We will do everything in our power in coming weeks and months to help support the Chardon community as it recovers from this tragedy.”

WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2012 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released today the following statement on the tragic shootings at Chardon High School in Ohio.

“The shootings at Chardon High School are an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts go out to the entire community as they grieve this terrible and senseless loss. It’s still too early to know yet why a student took a firearm to school and shot his classmates. But preliminary reports indicate that if it were not for the extraordinary courage of a teacher who chased the shooter out of the school, and if not for the speedy reaction of school leaders, the toll of these shootings could have been even worse. Our thoughts today are with the children, the teachers, and the parents of Chardon. The Department has been in touch with the superintendent’s office to offer our help and support. And we will do everything in our power in coming weeks and months to help support the Chardon community as it recovers from this tragedy.”