John Gillette was a 48-year-old science teacher at Parker Middle School who was fatally shot on April 24, 1998, during a school dance at Nick’s Place in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. According to reports, Gillette had asked 14-year-old student Andrew Jerome Wurst to come inside from an outdoor patio; Wurst then opened fire with a .25-caliber pistol he brought to the event. Gillette was killed and another teacher plus two students were wounded before Wurst ran out of ammunition. Nick’s Place owner James Strand intervened and held Wurst at bay until police arrived.

Wurst left a suicide note and told investigators he had planned to kill himself at the dance but instead shot Gillette. He was arrested and charged with murder and multiple weapons and assault offenses; his attorneys discussed an insanity defense and ultimately recommended a guilty plea. Thousands attended Gillette’s funeral, where he was remembered as a family man, coach, and influential teacher.