A popular science teacher and former football star was killed during a shooting at a school dance this weekend. Like recent incidents in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and Paducah, KY, a student has been charged in the death.

Andrew Wurst, a 14-year-old student at James W. Parker Middle School, is accused of opening fire at an 8th grade graduation dance on Friday, April 24. John Gillette, the teacher who had organized the dance, was the first to be shot on the patio of Nick's Place, the restaurant where the dance was held. Officials say that either of the two bullets that struck him could have been fatal on their own.

Classes were held as usual on Monday -- but the atmosphere was anything but normal at the Northwestern PA School. Counselors were on hand to help students and teachers to cope with the incident, and several pupils took advantage of the help offered.

Wurst had a history of making threats, and had told other students that he was going to make the dance a "memorable" occasion. Wurst's unusual sense of humor and his love of Marilyn Manson music earned him the nickname "Satan" at school.

Discussion about the incident quickly hit the Internet, especially at http://www.edinboro.com, a community web site. One page offered the opportunity for people to express their opinions about the incident. While the vast majority of the respondants expressed their sorrow for the incident, a few messages supported Wurst: "3 cheers for Wurst! It took courage to do what he did... If I knew then what I know now, things would have been different."

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