Ohio School Shooting Not Out of the Blue

Asa Coon, the Cleveland 14-year-old who shot two teachers and two classmates yesterday before turning his gun on himself, had a troubled past that included fights at school and a suicide attempt, reports the AP. Coon twice spent time in juvenile facilities, was charged with domestic violence against his mother, and was suspended before the attack for fighting with another student at SuccessTech Academy.

Classmates say Coon frequently swore at teachers and threatened to "blow up our school" and "stab everybody," but that no one took his statements seriously. The fight that provoked the suspension was over religion: Coon said he didn't believe in God, but worshiped Marilyn Manson. Parents of SuccessTech students have criticized the school's security policies, which included inconsistently used metal detectors and a recent cutback in guards. (More Asa H. Coon stories.)