Student killed by gunman on first day back from summer vacation
Posted: Monday, July 18, 2011 - By AFP
UPDATE: The 18-year-old was attacked at a technical school in Orotina. The shooter shot himself, and died Tuesday at Hospital Mexico.
A teenager shot and killed an 18-year-old student at a school before shooting himself on Monday, according to police.
Juan Pablo Salazar was shot at 9:10 a.m. at the Colegio Ricardo Castro in Orotina, a technical high school school about 60 kilometers west of San José, according to the daily La Nación. The alleged 17-year-old assailant later shot himself in the right temple. The shooter was taken to a nearby hospital by Red Cross relief workers. He was only identified by the last name Villegas because he is a minor. He was not a student of the school, authorities said.
Authorities at Hospital Mexico confirmed Villegas' death Tuesday morning due to a brain hemorrhage.
The student was shot in the school's computer room on the first day of classes after a two week summer break. Some students said the shooter entered the room and made everyone leave except the victim.
Education Minister Leonardo Garnier said via Twitter that the event was a tragedy but there is not enough information out yet to comment further on the event.
The attack comes one year after a 17-year-old student killed a principal at a private school in Heredia, north of San José.
Instructions:
1. First, you will read the new posted on the blog related to a recent event of a student who was murdered by a friend at a highschool in Orotina, Alajuela.
2. When you finish reading answer the following questions as your blog’s comment.
1. What is your perspective or opinion about this pitiful event?
2. What is your opinion about MEP’s position in regards to the security of the students in an institution? What can be some security precautions to be taken in order to feel safe on the highschool?
3. Have you ever had a reason to feel insecure in your highschool?
for me regarding this crime is totally an oversight, as you might a child have a weapon and also as there may be able to enter the institution in a manner so easy and I feel sad that the only so finding a teenager to resolve a conflict through violence and with respect to the minister of education should create for my bills and not just laws but should monitor their compliance in institutions and as a minister would be his responsibility, that institutions had gates, guards, and as our school has control of absences in each class, since in my school I feel very safe.
ResponderEliminarKarla Zamora
sometimes I think it seems impossible to believe the world have events like this, definetely the people who lives in the world are lost the sense of the life, in the nowadays this types to events have become very commons,the people are driven by anger, revenge.
ResponderEliminarI wonder ... Where are the values that really matter? like really love, respect, solidarity, etc.
regrettably I think there are very few people think those values are important...and not enough! is too late to save the world of evil, only remains to do what is within our reach,we protect ourselves and loved ones.
respects to MEP’s position in regards to the security of the students in an institution I think they are not prepared for face this events, they need take more responsability, they should have a excellent control to people who enter in the institution, and maybe be more attentive to the social or psychological problems of students.
In the years I´ve been in the institution Santa María de Guadalupe, I´ve never feel insecurity but would be good be alert because nobody are exempt to this problems.
Sandy Madrigal Jiménez
ResponderEliminarMy vision of this pitiful event is that Costa Rica is getting less safe. How it can be possible that a teenager killed another teenager? I do not understand what was he thinking. I think that us, the adolescents have to be more careful with the friendships and the people we know.
I think that the MEP's position is in charge of the security in highschool, so they have to set more strong rules for the insecurity and punish the violent adolescent. Also they have to promoted the values and teach to the teenagers that violence is not the solution for everything.
Costa Rica's youth have a big problem of lack of respect to old people, to their parents and between them also.
The violence is more frecuent in public highschool, not like in my highschool, beacause we learn about values like tolerance. I feel very safe in my institution thanks god and I hope it stays in that way.
Josué David Centeno Barrios
ResponderEliminar1.I think that this kind of tragedies are the worst of all because it is not an accident, is not something that somebody did without intention, it's something that was intentionally made, and the worst part it's that was a teenager who did it. Who knows the reasons that he has to kill other guy, but that shows the violence that is growing in our country. We are gettin in such a level of insecurity that now the minors have guns and are decided to take other lives, even themselfs.I think that it's a problem that everybody have to help to stop it because this kind of conduct comes from family situations. One security precaution that I think that could work is to teach to the students about the violence in the society and guide them to a good way, being taught by both teachers and their parents.
I've never had a reason to feel insecure in my highschool because I see that the most of the teachers in there are interested not just in teach formulas and theories, if not that also they are interested in preparing us for the future and make grow our maturity, and now problems that some people solve with violence, we solve them talking, because we've been taught in a medium of respect and tolerance.
I think that this notice is very baffling. Is pitiful because high school have to be a safe place for all of us, where we can meet new friends and learning everything that we need. Security is an important aspect; we must take into account for the future.
ResponderEliminarWe have to take further precautions in the high school and have to start in the house, we have to talk with a person that advise us and try to solve this problem, addition, and the security protocol should be more effective and train their workers.
MEP have big responsibility to solve this kind of problems, is the second time that happens something like that and they didn´t do anything.
Some security precautions that the MEP should take into account are: every person that enter in the high school have to identify and make security protocol.
I think that my high school is a very safe place and I don´t have a reason to feel insecure in this.
This kind of events are just tragic, people that come happy from their summer breaks, get killed exactly the same day on a school, places like school MUST be a safe enviroment for students and it seems that our country will never understand that. I believe MEP's position is the most important in this whole subject, they have the power to stop all this crimes yet they don't seem prepared to actually do something, I think that what the students have to do to avoid this issues is to avoid meeting bad people in the schools that can lead you to a big trouble, avoiding those people will grant you safety on school but is still not 100% safe, MEP has to impletemt more security in every school, a regular school has like 1-2 security guards and that's a big mistake, MEP has to be more strict with security or else they will have a big mess in high schools sooner or later. I really feel safe in my school mostly because there's no dangerous students that can hurt me or that can cause any trouble, those kind of people can't or don't have the chance to get in my school, thank God.
ResponderEliminarAlejandro Rodriguez Montero
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion that high school safety and of the many high schools of the country is very bad. It is sad that a student commits a crime like this with such ease, but more disappointing is the response given for the MEP. I believe that the MEP is not prepared to assume this kind of situations. Some security measures to prevent this type of violence that can use in some high schools may be that the guards use metal detectors at entrances, or make a daily check of the backpacks of students in the class.
At school I felt insecure when not provided complete information about a situation that is occurring in the school premises, as they try to handle with discretion not to scare students, but what really makes us feel unsafe is not knowing what's going on.
Gloriana Mora Zamora.
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion, it seems very unfair as people have the courage to take the life of others, and in this case is a living example, as these two young guys in Orotina people do not know that relationship had, but it is equally clear that the young who killed the young man had some disorder or some grudge against the other.
I think about the MEP position, took no steps over a year ago, after having succeeded the murder of the head by a student, what then is where they face other consequences, and each day the people have more insecurity, and it is not right that these cases happen in the schools.
To feel safe in an institution is essential to have trained personnel such as guards at the entrances and would also be very important to control the students who enter with objects. In my school, I've never felt unsafe; I think there is good security staff, so we have not suffered any abuse of those.
Sofia Viquez
ResponderEliminarForm my point of view, this is a very delicate topic, since the country is going through a great danger that affects society. A case like this is of big concern because not even high school are safe. I think that values must be taugh from home, so the situation can be over, since children are the future.
MEP position is to watch for the security of youngers, but i believe they are not prepared yet. eventrought we must chance and we should have better security bacause this can't contunue like that. nowadays my high school is a very safe place since they have safety measures, i don't have any complain!
When I read this news I couldn´t believe, why did he kill this guy? Was my question. The teen had good future, and was a good person and in a second he lost his life and not in an accident. Who I am to kill somebody?.
ResponderEliminarHigh schools aren´t safe and everybody know, but a lot of aspects can change and better the life in the high school, because is like our second home and we need to be in peaceful.
MEP want to have changes and this is good, but that in the high schools will apply is other thing. First we need to understand the dangerous that we have now, that no place is safe. We have to follow the rules, because is for our good, but they can´t impose rulers of an overnight because we are teens and we need understand, I like the normal rules, sometimes make revisions at all students, with dogs. And that the secure guards have guns I don´t like but is for us good.
Yes I have a lot reasons to feel insecure, because we meet the teachers but I don’t know what they can do some day, or if they carry a weapon. And the students that they have in their handbag or what they want to do?
I want one change,and I will wait!!!
Yuleisy Arguedas:
ResponderEliminarI think that in every high school has to have more security , because all the students,teachers and personal in the high school are a little insecure. In this situation we can not to accuse the guard because any human can to commit errors. The high school have to be a very safe place, because a lot of time our days we stay here, we learn , meet new people and have new experiences.
The MEP`S now have to put more security, more rules for the students and more conscience in the comunity, now they can not do nothing for this problem, only take new decisions for the topic and put safe all the high schools in the country.
In this moment can do antiviolence campaings and for the communication too.
In my high school I never felt insecure, because here has a good security , all the people have to give your personal information for go inside.
Is sometimes extreme security that they want to impose in my high school.
I think that in certain institutions may not have adequate and effective security ,every institution must have a security system that gives good results, more skilled, not things like a student ID wich
ResponderEliminarsimply will not protect the student from any dangerous situation, but something that actually follow the steps for the student’s and teacher’s safety. Sometimes tragedies occur in schools due to the lack of communication in families
so ,teens get to vent their anger at school, and no one knows why. I think that the MEP is far from reaching a good security at all schools. Often the Minister of Education does not even know the conditions under which a school is found, then it's going to propose solutions without knowing the problems? I think they should know before the status of each institution-
So take the necessary measures.
A safe school is not synonymous with reformatory,
and I think in many cases have gone to the extreme, and we've confused security with drama.
People should take reasonable security measures, where students also agree.
A good option would be more personal and that sort of thing.
And honestly I've never felt unsafe at school, I think the security is good, only now have exaggerated a bit, and this only generates insecure students, unwanted comments, and bad reputation.
KRISLY HIDALGO ALPÍZAR.
Roberto Zárate S. 10-5
ResponderEliminarI think it's very troubling behavior of youth today because they are giving many deaths and too many fights often without reason. Could be many reasons for the aggressiveness of the young people like video games and violent television programs.
It seems that while many precautions are taken there will always be a chance of danger but the precautions taken decrease the chance of damage until they could be a little bit drastic is very important to follow because they are designed for our good. Some caveats must be that all persons reporting acts in order to prevent suspected people injured or killed.We must be vigilant and follow all instructions given to us.
No, I have always felt safe at high school
For me this event shows the security problems that have been increased in our country about 5 years. For me this shows that the security systems in the high schools around the country are the worst, How can be possible that a person with a gun can enter in a institution without having gone through some kind of protocol secure for part of the security guard.
ResponderEliminarI think that the MEP`s position is a little bit disinterested, as if the event was so unimportant as to give sufficient importance; it also demonstrate the resilience of our leaders and the management that they has in situations that directly affect them and that bring out the worst of them.
For me every high school needs to have:
A) A protocol security protocol,
B) Security guards with experience,
C) Too much control about the visits to the institution.
For my part, I am never feel unsafe in my high school, and finally I think our high schools need more security, but the in the SAMAGU the security is becoming the sole focus of the institution, and instead of high school is becoming a reformatory….
Definitely the country is very bad about the safety and the more so in schools.
ResponderEliminarIt could take safety precautions such as checking bags when students are entering the institution or whether the person is entering the school is actually a student and not someone other than the school. Another serious guards with a gun to prepare for certain situations.
Kenneth Varela
I think, Costa Rica security is very bad, because, now, all countries have a very degree of violence.Nowadays, high schools of Costa Rica be much dangerous than all, students go scared, unsafe... Drougs are another problem that relates with the level of violence in high schools. Drugs become agressive students.
ResponderEliminarThe problem are: Who is blame for everything happens? None. All begins in our homes, school and teachings of parents.
Its very hard to face the reality in costa rica; that news committed the MEP´S to realize strict changes, to guard for the lifes of millions of students, to keep safe youth.
Now, all this can be change! All seems for new begginig, starting over, but is decision of everyone.
"Beauty is no more it's all gone
And utopia will not come
Trust I can not feel, only pain
And my burning mind has gone insane.
Violent Revolution, reason for the people to destroy."
Esteban Gonzalez.
Jose Alonso Zamora
ResponderEliminarIn my opinion, I think that violence is increasing day by day. not only increases violence in the streets but also in schools. One reason why violence is increasing as drugs and alcohol.
Young people these days believe that killing is anything and is very common nowadays.
For me, the MEP does not take these issues seriously. This should take care of the integrity of young people and their lives. For me it should change the security measures in institutions, they should be stronger.
I've never felt unsafe at school, I have no reason to be, also the staff is very good.
With the measures taken in these days I feel very safe.
Johnny Vado
ResponderEliminarI think that its an important fact to contract a good service of security guard because some people with bad intensions get in the institution and anybody inspect it in case of bring something like a gun or something like that...
With respect to my opinion about MEP's position, I think that it have to implement more security for students both outside and within the institution... some precautions can be that take some identification or something like this, to know who are they or what kind of person is...
No, I never had a reazon to feel insecure inside the high school because I trust in the security system implemented there and I don't have a reazon to feel that...
In my opinion is very pitiful read this kind of news, because evidence the insecurity that are living Costa Rica, in this days. It’s to important that the MEP see this kind of problems and do something for find a solution, and don’t wait until happen again; the solution for this, is in each home, but inspect the student’s behavior, pay attention people that access to the institution, make routine checks or pay close attention to suspect comments can help to prevent it.
ResponderEliminarThe security in my highschool isn’t bad, but at any time a tragedy might happen, is unpredictable...
In my opinion, the boy who killed the other had serious metal problems. His parents had to take care of him, because I think that his attitudes weren´t like a normal boy with his age, so they had to paid attention to his son.
ResponderEliminarI think that the MEP being handle by "professionals" have to take the correct decisions with this kind of situation. And all of them, by obligation, have to keep their decisions up and put them into practice and do not allow the words go with wind!
The MEP, more than anyone, had to take care of the security in Costa Rica`s highschools and most of all, have to take care of teenagers; thats why I said that they have to keep their decisions up.
In everywhere we are insecure and the only thing we have for sure in life is death. So, in everywhere and whenever we are not secure.
But sometimes, if we think a little bit, in college we cant feel safe, because in adolescence, we suffer lots of changes and we not always think perfect things. And if a teenager suffers any mental disease is dangerous because we dont know what is he going to do.
But I think its better if we live in a calm way, knowing that Peace is not a feeling, Peace is a decision!
Susana R. (: