Allison, what a tragedy. Strength to you in helping your pupils understand this when next they come to school. It's hard enough for us to even try to understand.

This reminds me there is a national group which is trying to stike down laws in over 35 states which prevent children under 12 from hunting. State wildlife management folks have been going hand-in-hand with them in organising "child hunt days" encouraging families to bring their kids out to learn to kill doves and squirrels. It seems hunting is on the downswing and the money-makers of the industry as well as wildlife mgt. folks think they need to go after kids. I personally don't think it's too great of an idea to have kids under 12 with a gun at all, unless target-practising with extreme supervision.

Sorry for the soapbox. It's just bothers me how quickly folks want kids to grow up these days.

Sending you lots of good thoughts and {{{{HUGS}}}},

luvyakat