CHARDON, Ohio (Fox8) – Newly released police radio calls give a first hand look at the reaction to Monday’s shooting at Chardon High School.
The tapes reveal how dispatchers and police officers responded to 911 calls about the shooting.
Radio call: “Active shooter. Chardon High School in the cafeteria. So far we’re still getting information.”
Radio call: “I have a caller on the phone saying there are three students shot in the cafeteria…no idea where the student is.”
When the gunfire was over, a total of five students were shot, three died, two more were injured.
Early on, students and staff were able to tell police who they thought was responsible, 17-year-old Thomas Lane, known as T.J. Lane.
Radio call: “Information that I’m getting is that there’s a student by the name of Thomas Lynn…Lane. I’m sorry, Thomas Lane, last seen in the cafeteria. We hear nothing right now.”
Lane was captured a short time later not far from the school.
Radio call: “I’m speaking with a teacher here, he said he chased the suspect out about ten minutes ago.”
In addition to the police tapes, more information was released Wednesday about the alleged teen gunman.
Fox 8 has obtained Lane’s juvenile court records. They reveal that in December of 2009, Lane put a boy in a choke hold and punched him in the face. He was charged with misdemeanor assault and ordered to perform community service and pay court costs.
Lane also had his licesnce suspended for 15 days for a traffic violation. It was reinstated after he completed traffic school.
Lane’s aunt, Heather Lane, spoke to Fox 8 News but did not want to show her face on camera. She described her nephew as being quiet and a hard worker, and said her family feels beyond horrible about what happened.
“I’m just praying for him. He’s a child, and so many children have been affected by this, and I just want them all to be prayed for. They all need strength, and they all need love, and they all need compassion,” Heather Lane said.
T.J.’s aunt also told Fox 8 News that what appeared to be a rambling, threatening essay he posted on Facebook was actually an English assignment regarding author Edgar Allan Poe.
The judge in the case says prosecutors have until 4:45 p.m. Thursday to formally file charges against Lane. If that happens, he’ll be in court again on Tuesday.
