On January 21, 1985, Goddard Junior High School principal James McGee, 35, was confronted in a hallway by a 14-year-old student carrying an M1A semi-automatic rifle and a .357-caliber Magnum pistol. When McGee questioned the student about the weapons, the student opened fire, fatally wounding McGee and wounding two teachers and a student. McGee, a former Marine Corps officer, was married; his wife Crystal was pregnant with their fourth child at the time.

The shooter, identified as James Alan Kearbey, was taken into custody soon after the shooting. He pleaded no contest and in March 1985 was found guilty of murder and three counts of aggravated assault. Because he was 14, he was sentenced as a juvenile and was released from custody in 1991. The killing prompted a change in Kansas law lowering the age at which juveniles could be prosecuted as adults for serious crimes, and the school later honored McGee with a new bell tower.

If anyone knew Principal McGee, his family, or the students and staff present that day, any memories or information could help preserve the full picture of what happened.