Peter C. Pete Christopher, a 41-year-old custodian at Wickliffe Middle School, was killed on November 7, 1994, when a 37-year-old former student, Keith A. Ledeger, entered the school armed with a 12-gauge single-shot shotgun. Ledeger first asked to speak with school administrators; when Principal James Anderson saw the weapon and hid in a coworker’s office, Ledeger fired several shots through the door, wounding Anderson. Christopher, who was helping a teacher with computer issues in the lab, pushed an 11-year-old girl to safety and stood in front of the door while urging Ledeger to drop the weapon. Ledeger shot Christopher twice, killing him instantly. No students were injured, but four other people were wounded, including the vice principal, a teacher, and a police officer.

Ledeger was taken into custody and found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was later sentenced to 57 years in prison; he died on December 24, 2011, while still incarcerated. The school community commemorated Christopher’s sacrifice with a memorial wooden bench and plaque displayed in the middle school’s administrative offices. If anyone knew Pete Christopher or has information about that day, please share what you remember.