Update: 8th Grader Who Shot Himself Diesby Myra Turner | More from this Blogger 08 Nov 2007 10:32 AM A sad ending to an earlier blog concerning the 8th grader who shot himself in the head on Monday. Unfortunately, he died at the hospital Tuesday where he had been on life support in the pediatric intensive care unit. His suicide came as a shock to his family, friends and teachers. Everyone described him as being easy going and happy-go-lucky. However, he obviously had planned to kill himself because he left a message on his myspace.com site. An avid sportsman, he played baseball, basketball and football. He came from a close and loving family, which is why the family is having such a hard time understanding why their son would choose to take his life. Friends at school are also having a hard time. Many blame themselves because they wonder if he showed signs of needing help that they missed. A grief team was dispatched to the school and plan to remain for the rest of the week to talk with students, faculty and staff. Even the principal of the school reported that he felt guilty and he plans to sit down and talk with counselors. He told the local paper, "I feel a sense of failure and a sense of responsibility, I need to express that." This is often the case when a loved one commits suicide. My brother-in-law killed himself many years ago. Although he had been suffering with mental illness for several years, no one thought he would end his life. He barricaded himself inside his apartment (he and my sister had divorced by the time he really started going downhill) and started shooting. When the police came, he wouldn't come out. They threw teargas inside but when they went inside he had shot himself in the head. I still remember how shocked we all were and to this day, I still can't believe he did it. If you suspect a loved one might be contemplating suicide, please try to get help for them. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be accessed 24-hours a day at 1-800-273-8255. See also: Learn more about Myra Turner  I'm a proud mid-life single mom with an active seven-year-old son, Tyler. Relevantparenting tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags depression, suicide, teen suicide Discuss this article
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