January 23, 2018, is the date a Marshall County High School routine morning became a scene of tragedy in Benton, Kentucky. A 15-year-old student, Preston Ryan Cope, was shot in the commons area as students gathered before classes. He suffered a non-survivable gunshot wound to the head, was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and died there. Another student, 15-year-old Bailey Nicole Holt, also died in the attack.

Preston was active on the Marshall County High School baseball team and in the Future Christian Athletes Club; friends described him as always smiling and well liked. His parents, Brian and Teresa Cope, were at his side in his final moments. The shooter, identified as Gabriel Ross Parker, also 15, was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with two counts of murder and multiple counts of assault; prosecutors said they planned to try him as an adult. Witnesses said Parker moved through the school and fired while appearing silent and with lifeless eyes. The motive remained unclear in the immediate aftermath.

If anyone knew Preston, Bailey, or saw activity at the school that morning, please share what you remember.