School Describes 16 Year Old Homicide Victim as Bright, Well Behaved Student
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: January 22, 2013
BLOOMINGTON- As the sun set on Danbury Court Apartments Monday, neighbors never expected their quiet complex to turn into a crime scene.
But learning the victim is 16 year old Trae Massey, has many wondering what led to this... and why.
The shooting happened on Ginger Trail.
Police continue to investigate an incident Massey's teachers say they can't believe even happened."
"He was a good student. One of my favorites actually, said Brian O'Kraski.
O'Kraski was Massey's social studies teacher.
He says the teen had top grades, being one of the most well behaved and brightest in his class.
"I have no complaints about him," said O'Kraski. "He always seemed to do the right thing while he was in school here."
But little did O'Kraski know that when Massey walked away from his desk last week, it would be the last time he sat there.
"I think the whole staff is in a state of shock."
Regional Alternative School director Glen Hoffman says the school works hard to protect its kids.
But the decisions they make outside its walls are up to them.
"We do have students who are involved in different things in their evenings," said Hoffman. "But the nice thing about being in this place here is we're really a safe environment."
He says the shooting death of a student is a first for the school.
A tragedy he's making his mission to prevent from ever happening again.
"Giving them goals that are meaningful goals so that when something evil is coming up that they have other alternatives other than turning to violence," explained Hoffman.
Police are still searching for suspects.
Meantime, Massey's school will have counselors on hand to help students cope with the loss.
But learning the victim is 16 year old Trae Massey, has many wondering what led to this... and why.
The shooting happened on Ginger Trail.
Police continue to investigate an incident Massey's teachers say they can't believe even happened."
"He was a good student. One of my favorites actually, said Brian O'Kraski.
O'Kraski was Massey's social studies teacher.
He says the teen had top grades, being one of the most well behaved and brightest in his class.
"I have no complaints about him," said O'Kraski. "He always seemed to do the right thing while he was in school here."
But little did O'Kraski know that when Massey walked away from his desk last week, it would be the last time he sat there.
"I think the whole staff is in a state of shock."
Regional Alternative School director Glen Hoffman says the school works hard to protect its kids.
But the decisions they make outside its walls are up to them.
"We do have students who are involved in different things in their evenings," said Hoffman. "But the nice thing about being in this place here is we're really a safe environment."
He says the shooting death of a student is a first for the school.
A tragedy he's making his mission to prevent from ever happening again.
"Giving them goals that are meaningful goals so that when something evil is coming up that they have other alternatives other than turning to violence," explained Hoffman.
Police are still searching for suspects.
Meantime, Massey's school will have counselors on hand to help students cope with the loss.
