Benton, Ky. (WTVF) – It’s been five years since a Kentucky community was forever changed by a man who opened fire at his high school, killing two students and injuring more than a dozen others.
Marshall County is coming together to give back in honor of the victims.
The students will mark the beginning of ‘Kindness Week’ on Monday. On top of that, they will also have an annual Marshall Strong blood drive.
Back in 2018, 15-year-old Gabriel Parker shot 16 people with a pistol. The age of all the victims was between 14 and 18 years.
Five of them were seriously injured and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Two students died: 15-year-old Bailey Holt and 15-year-old Preston Cope.
It took two years, but Parker eventually pleaded guilty to all the counts against him: 16 in total.
He was given two life sentences.
“That day changed our school and our community in countless ways, but it also brought to the fore our strengths,” the district said in a statement to News Channel 5.
Students, staff and families will gather on Monday to lay the “Marshall Strong” wreath in honor of the victims.
