Russell D. King Jr. was 17 and a student at Chardon High School when he was killed on February 27, 2012, during a shooting in the school cafeteria. The shooter, 17-year-old T.J. Lane, used a .22-caliber pistol; three students were killed and three others were wounded that day. Russell was studying alternative energy at Auburn Career Center and was described as someone who loved the outdoors and had a close-knit family.

After the shooting, T.J. Lane was arrested. Families of the victims, including Russell’s, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Chardon School District, some administrators, and the alternative school Lane attended, alleging prior warnings about security concerns that were not addressed. Russell’s father, Russell King Sr., later died of an accidental heroin and alcohol overdose on the second anniversary of the shooting.

Anyone who knew Russell or has information about what happened that day is encouraged to come forward.