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Families of Slain, Injured Students Sue Marshall County School District over '18 Shooting

Nicole Erwin, WKMS

One year after a teen gunman killed two students and injured 14 others, some parents are now suing the Marshall County school district in western Kentucky

The families of four students shot on January 23, 2018 by classmate Gabe Parker say the school system knew or should have known of his “dangerous propensities” and failed to prevent the rampage. 

The lawsuit filed on Tuesday in Marshall Circuit Court names Parker, his mother, and stepfather as defendants, as well as the superintendent, five school board members, and the former principal of Marshall County High School.  Four assistant principals and the school resource officer are also named in the suit.The complaint alleges that there were no security measures in place that would have prevented Parker from entering the school with a loaded weapon.  The school district has since banned backpacks and installed metal detectors at the entrances to the high school. 

Parker has entered a not guilty plea and remains in custody under a $1.5 million bond.  He’ll be tried as an adult though a trial date hasn’t been set.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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