Slain math teacher called hero for trying to stop school shooting suspect

Reno Gazette-Journal

Published Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 | 7:54 a.m.

Updated Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 | 9:50 p.m.

SPARKS — 9:26 p.m. update

A candlelight vigil is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday in front of Sparks Middle School to honor the victims of the deadly shooting at Sparks Middle School, the Rev. Rev. Howard Dotson of Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church reports.

Leaders of the Reno/Sparks interfaith community have invited to offer words of comfort and hope, he said via email.

The Patriot Guard and various veteran groups will participate in an honor guard, Dotson said.

8:28 p.m. update

More than two dozen school counselors and psychologists are working with state and federal personnel to coordinate counseling services for students, staff members, and families from Sparks Middle School, the Washoe Ciounty school district reported.

6:37 p.m. update

It came as no surprise to Michael Landsberry’s family that the Sparks Middle School math teacher is being called a hero for trying to get a student to put his gun down before being shot and killed.

“To hear he was trying to protect those kids, that he stepped up and tried to stop the situation, doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Chanda Landsberry, who is married to Michael’s younger brother, Reggie. “He could have ducked and hid, but he didn’t. That’s not who he is.”

“He was trained to help.”

A former Marine, 45-year-old Michael Landsberry was also a member of the Nevada Army National Guard. He leaves behind his wife and two step-daughters.

Dennis Fournier, spokesman for the National Guard in Carson City, said he could not release a statement until they receive official word from the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s office that the victim who was killed was in fact Michael Landsberry.

Once confirmed, Col. Jeffrey Burkett, 152nd Airlift Wing Commander, Nevada Air National Guard, will make a statement at the Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno.

5:51 update

Michael Landsberry, 45, was a military veteran and leaves behind a wife and two stepdaughters. Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said Landsberry served two tours in Afghanistan with the Nevada National Guard.

“He proudly served his country and was proudly defending the students at his school,” Martini said.

On his school website, Landsberry posted a picture of a brown bear and took on a tough-love tone, telling students, “I have one classroom rule and it is very simple: ‘Thou Shall Not Annoy Mr. L.’”

“The kids loved him,” his sister-in-law Chanda Landsberry said.

5:16 p.m. update

The death of a math teacher from Monday morning’s shooting at Sparks Middle School is hitting the local teaching community hard.

Several colleagues of math teacher Michael Landsberry declined comment when reached Monday afternoon, only saying that he was a wonderful person who cared deeply about his students. Landsberry was shot and killed while trying to talk down the shooter at Sparks Middle School Monday morning.

Nikki Wilson, a special education math teacher at Sparks Middle School, said all comment regarding the shooting is being referred to the Washoe County School out of respect for the wishes of all families involved. Nevertheless, Wilson had positive words about her colleague.

“Mike was a great guy and teacher and will be missed by all,” Wilson said via email.

Reno Art Works co-founder Aric Shapiro, who subcontracts as an art teacher at several area charter schools, says the shock among teachers is understandable.

“It’s terrifying,” Shapiro said. “I just drove by that school last Friday and never in a million years would I have expected something like this to happen. It just shows how fragile life is.”

Shapiro, who also has experience working with at-risk youth, said he can’t imagine being shot by one of the kids he teaches. With all the reports of school shootings from across the country, however, it’s clear that these are different times, he said.

Middle school and high school are especially a challenge given the changes and wide range of emotions that kids deal with, Shapiro said.

“Middle school is just a tough time for everyone,” Shapiro said. “You’re growing up and starting to have adult thoughts but you still have a child’s mind and body. It can be a very emotional time.”

Shapiro says he doesn’t know how he would react if he heard gunshots while in school. What Landsberry did, however, was understandable, Shapiro added.

“Whether you’re a defender of the peace, an active citizen or just a human being, you have to go and check things out,” Shapiro said. “You can’t run away from that, especially when you have kids there. He probably went there thinking, ‘Maybe I’ll go down but I can at least prevent (the shooter) from harming 20 other kids.”

4:51 p.m. update

Police say a Nevada middle school boy used a semi-automatic handgun to wound two students and kill a math teacher before turning the weapon on himself. The shooting occurred about 15 minutes before the opening bell at Sparks Middle School on Monday. The student’s name wasn’t released, and his motive for the shooting wasn’t known.

Teacher Michael Landsberry was being hailed as a hero for trying to protect children from their gun-wielding classmate outside the school. Twenty to 30 horrified students witnessed the shooting as they returned to classes from a weeklong fall break.

4:50 p.m. update

As of this time, the patients’ families have opted not to release any further condition information about two injured boys receiving medical treatment at Renown Regional Medical Center, the hospital said.

4:29 p.m. update

A Facebook page, called Praying for Sparks Middle School Shooting Victims, has been created since the shooting at Sparks Middle School this morning.

It can be found here.

4:19 p.m. update

Teacher Michael Landsberry was being hailed for his actions outside Sparks Middle School, where 20 to 30 horrified students witnessed the shooting as they returned to classes from a weeklong fall break.

“In my estimation, he is a hero. … We do know he was trying to intervene,” Reno Deputy Police Chief Tom Robinson said.

4:14 p.m. update

Local sports figures were among those who reacted to Monday’s shooting at Sparks Middle School that claimed the life of teacher Michael Landsberry and the student shooter, and wounded two other students.

Nevada football coach Brian Polian opened his weekly Quarterback Club Luncheon at the Peppermill by addressing the tragedy.

“Let me first start by saying our program and my personal thoughts and prayers are with those in Sparks right now, an absolutely awful thing to wake up to this morning,” Polian said. “And I’m sure most of us are parents and grandparents, and to think something like that could happen at a middle school is shocking. Although in today’s world nothing much shocks us anymore. … Anything we can do to support the families affected, we’re going to try to find a way to do that.”

Earlier in the day, Polian tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those effected by the tragedy at Sparks Middle School.”

4:08 p.m. update:

Superintendent Pedro Martinez: "We have a lot of heroes."

Martinez: "Right now our work is going to focus on the families and focus on our staff." Counseling sessions start tonight at 6 p.m.

4:03 p.m. update:

The two male student victims are both 12 years old. One shot through shoulder, the other through the abdomen. Both are in stable condition.

Police: School staff had students inside classrooms and put school into lockdown "almost instantaneously"

3:54 p.m. update:

Conditions of the two shooting victims who were taken to Renown Medical Center have not changed since around 11 a.m.

One is in fair condition, and the other is in serious condition. The patient who is in fair condition is conscious and his vital signs are in normal ranges.

3:22 p.m. update

A community prayer night in Sparks is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Sparks Nazarene Church, the church reported today. The church is at 2200 El Rancho Drive with the service multi-faith and led by student ministries, said Blinson Melissa of the

2:55 p.m. update

Col. Jeffrey Burkett, 152nd Airlift Wing Commander, Nevada Air National Guard, will be making a statement regarding the Guard member killed in today’s shooting at Sparks Middle School, the Guard reported.

2:20 p.m. update:

It came as no surprise to Michael Landsberry’s family that the Sparks Middle School math teacher is being called a hero for trying to get a student to put his gun down before being shot and killed.

“To hear he was trying to protect those kids, that he stepped up and tried to stop the situation, doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Chanda Landsberry, who is married to Michael’s brother younger brother, Reggie. “He could have ducked and hid, but he didn’t. That’s not who he is.”

“He was trained to help.”

A former Marine, the 45-year-old Landsberry was also a member of the Nevada Army National Guard.

Tom Robinson, deputy chief with the Reno Police Department told reporters at a news conference: “in my estimation, he is a hero. We do know he was trying to intervene.”

Chanda Landsberry said her brother-in-law, who received bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2001, loved teaching.

“He loved his school kids. He loved the Guard,” she said. “It defined him.”

His students shared the pain of his loss in an outpouring of heartfelt messages on social media, and shared silly photos of their teacher, showing his playfulness in the classroom.

Michael Landsberry kept a math website to help his students get through each year called “Welcome to Mr. L’s Math Class for 2013-2014.”

“I have one classroom rule and it is very simple: ‘Thou Shall Not Annoy Mr. L,’” the site said. “I am looking forward to getting to know and teach all of you this year. I know that at times the year will be tough and boring but I will do my best to make the lessons exciting.”

Some of his students told reporters that Landsberry loved Batman so much that many used the title as his nickname.

1:15 p.m. update:

The Washoe County Commission will not discuss the future of Assembly Bill 46 at its meeting tomorrow in light of the deadly shooting at Sparks Middle School today.

County Spokeswoman Nancy Leuenhagen said the potential vote on the bill that could increase sales taxes and property taxes for Washoe County school repairs will happen at a later date.

“It is postponed, they will announce a new date as soon as possible,” Leuenhagen said.

The County Commission will still meet tomorrow starting at 8:30 a.m. to pick a new county manager.

1 p.m. update:

Senator Debbie Smith issued the following statement on today's shooting at Sparks Middle School:

"My family and I are mourning over the shooting that took place at Sparks Middle School this morning. All three of my children attended school there and words cannot express the level of sadness I feel for our community, our parents, our kids and the brave staff at the school. I want to thank the first responders for their quick work in protecting students and staff. My thoughts and prayers will remain with everyone affected."

12:40 p.m. update:

The next press conference from law enforcement officials on the Sparks Middle School shooting is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Stay with RGJ.com throughout the day for updated information as it comes in.

12:21 p.m. update:

U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) issued this statement following a shooting at Sparks Middle School this morning:

“Today’s events at Sparks Middle School are unsettling and concerning. Thank you to the first responders for quickly moving the staff and students to safety. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims, students, families, teachers, and staff during this difficult time,” said Senator Dean Heller.

11:50 a.m. update:

Angela Rambo, spokeswoman for Renown Regional Medical Center, said the two shooting victims who were brought in this morning were upgraded from critical condition. One is in fair condition, and the other is in serious condition. The patient who is fair condition is conscious and his vital signs are in normal ranges.

Officials at the latest news conference said one of the victims underwent surgery, but Ramdo said she could not confirm which patient that was – the on in fair or serious condition.

11:22 a.m. update:

A student at Sparks Middle School shot and killed a teacher and wounded two other students Monday morning before fatally turning the gun on himself, police said.

Two unidentified males were wounded in the shooting and were taken to Renown Regional Medical Center in critical condition, a spokeswoman said. The Reno Gazette-Journal is trying to confirm the identity of the shooter and the teacher, who was reportedly a popular math teacher there, according to eyewitness accounts. Police said the teacher who was shot was trying to protect students.

Police said the shooting happened at 7:15 a.m. and students were evacuated to nearby Agnes Risley Elementary School and then to Sparks High School, where parents picked up their children.

At an 11 a.m. press conference, officials said of the two injured students, one was out of surgery and the other was doing well.

Eyewitness Kyle Nucum, 13, an eighth-grader at the middle school, said he was at the basketball court outside when the shooting happened.

“We heard a pop, like a loud pop, and everybody was screaming and the teacher came to investigate,” Nucum said Monday morning. “I thought it was a firecracker at first, but the student was pointing a gun at the teacher after the teacher told him to put it down, and the student fired a shot at the teacher and the teacher fell and everybody ran away.

“And we ran across the field to get somewhere safe and while we were running we heard about four or five more shots and we just got somewhere safe. This lady let us into her house.”

Authorities released few details about the shooting during a 9:15 a.m. press conference at Agnes Risley Elementary School.

Michelle Hernandez, a student at the middle school, said she saw the shooter Monday morning.

“I heard him saying, ‘Why you people making fun of me, why you laughing at me,’” Hernandez said.

Seth Hinchberger, an eighth-grader at Sparks Middle School, said the shooter “pulled out a weapon and just shot it. And scared all of us and we just started running.”

Hinchberger said they ran into a hall.

“We piled up and put the girls in the back and the guys in the front … for the safety of the girls,” he said. “He came over to us and started aiming at all of us.”

“Then he saw a teacher in the window and shot the window trying to get him. Shot the window twice.”

Reno deputy chief Tom Robinson said there were 150 to 200 personnel that secured the school and the surrounding area.

Robinson, addressing parents during the press conference, said, “I can tell them to rest assured. The schools are safe. The rest of the city is safe.”

“This is just a very sad day for us, a very tragic day,” said Pedro Martinez, the superintendent of the Washoe County School District.

Sparks Mayor Geno Martini praised the emergency response during a press conference Monday.

“The city itself is very safe, this is just an isolated incident,” Martini said. “It’s very, very tragic, I’m sadden to have to be here.”

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval this morning issued the following statement after learning of the shooting at Sparks Middle School:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific shooting at Sparks Middle School this morning. My administration is receiving regular updates and the Nevada Highway Patrol is assisting at the scene. Kathleen and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims and those affected by these tragic events.”

Helen Denkel, a San Francisco-based spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said at 10:10 a.m., “ATF is not involved at this time.”

11:05 a.m. update:

One person killed this morning at Sparks Middle School was a teacher and the other is what authorities described as a student/suspect.

The last of the Sparks Middle School students are being picked up from Sparks High School, Washoe County School District Police Chief Mike Mieras said at a press conference.

"This is just a tragic day for us," Superintendent Pedro Martinez said. "A very tragic day."

Other officials at the press conference expressed grief and complimented police for their response.

"I want to reiterate again, that the city itself is very safe," Sparks Mayor Geno Martini said. "This is an isolated incident. I don't believe it's going to be a spree that's going to go on."

Sparks Middle School will be closed for the remainder of the week, school officials said.

All of the parents of injured students have been notified at this point. Officials said that if you have not been notified, your child is safe.

10:52 a.m. update:

Two Sparks Middle School students have identified a popular math teacher as one of the victims of this morning's shooting at Sparks Middle School.

The RGJ contacted the teacher’s family and they have not been contacted yet by law enforcement. They are now at the school trying to learn what happened.

The RGJ will not name the teacher until there is official confirmation. Stay tuned to RGJ.com for updates.

10:50 a.m. update:

Clarification: A previous update stated that Kyle Nucum saw "his" teacher get shot. The teacher who he saw get shot was not his teacher.

10:35 a.m. update:

Nevada Senator Harry Reid today released the following statement about the shooting at Sparks Middle School.

“My condolences go out to the victims’ families and my thoughts are with the teachers, administrators, parents and students at Sparks Middle School who have experienced a traumatic morning. No words of condolence could possibly ease the pain, but I hope it is some small comfort that Nevada mourns with them. I stand by to be of any assistance if there is anything that can be done and I will continue to monitor the situation.”

10:17 a.m. update:

Helen Denkel, a San Francisco-based spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said at 10:10 a.m. “ATF is not involved at this time.” The shooting was reported at 7:15 a.m.

The Reno Gazette-Journal has reported extensively on the fact that the Reno ATF office has been understaffed since 2011 because of a rift with the U.S. Attorney’s office in Reno.

9:50 a.m. update:

Kyle Nucum, 13, said he witnessed another student shoot his teacher at Sparks Middle School Monday morning.

Nucum said his teacher saw the student with a gun and ran to the student to tell him to put the gun down. He was then shot.

The Reno Gazette-Journal is trying to independently verify the teacher’s identity.

9:35 a.m. update:

Authorities released few details about a shooting at about 7:15 a.m. at Sparks Middle School during a 9:15 a.m. press conference at Agnes Risley Elementary School.

They said there are two people dead and two injured, but they are not saying if the injured are students or teachers.

Reno deputy chief Tom Robinson said there were 150 to 200 personnel that secured the school and the surrounding area. The investigation has gone from tactical to an investigative.

Robinson, addressing parents during the press conference, “I can tell them to rest assured. The schools are safe. The rest of the city is safe.”

9:24 a.m. update:

Governor Brian Sandoval this morning issued the following statement after learning of the shooting at Sparks Middle School:

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific shooting at Sparks Middle School this morning. My administration is receiving regular updates and the Nevada Highway Patrol is assisting at the scene. Kathleen and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims and those affected by these tragic events.”

9:20 a.m. update:

Sparks police say several people were shot this morning at Sparks Middle School. Two people have died, including the shooter. Two people are in critical condition at Renown Regional Medical Center.

9:03 a.m. update

Angela Rambo, spokeswoman for Renown Regional Hospital said they have received two male patients, both minors, and both are in critical condition.

School at Agnes Risley Elementary School has been canceled for the day.

Parents can pick up Sparks Middle School students at Sparks High School.

9 a.m. update:

8:41 a.m. update

Sparks City Manager Shawn Carey tells the RGJ that one student was transported to an area hospital and that the shooter is dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

8:36 a.m. update:

Sparks police will hold a press conference at around 9 a.m. on the shooting at Sparks Middle School.

8:28 a.m. update:

Vickie Campbell of the Washoe County School District said Agnes Risley and Sparks Middle School closed. Children from both schools should be picked up at Sparks High School.

8:15 a.m. update

Students who have been evacuated from Sparks Middle School to Agnes Risley Elementary School will now be transported to Sparks High School, officials said.

Parents will be able to pick them up at Sparks High School as soon as they arrive.

7:58 a.m. update

The streets around Sparks MIddle School and Agnes Risley Elementary School are ringed with emergency vehicles following a shooting this morning at Sparks Middle School.

Parents are being allowed to pick up children, but otherwise traffic is blocked.

A command post has been set up in front of Sparks Middle School. No one is yet giving details to the media about what may have happened.

7:42 a.m. update:

Sparks police spokesman Rocky Triplett has confirmed that a shooting has occurred at Sparks Middle School, and that a shooter has been 'neutralized.'

Students have been evacuated from the school to Agnes Risley Elementary School.

There are no details as to how many people have been shot.

Stay with RGJ.com for more details as they become available.

A 12-year-old boy at Sparks Middle School was shot this morning as classes were starting, and the school has been placed on lockdown.

Students are currently being evacuated to Agnes Risley Elementary School, according to scanner traffic.

At least one person was shot at the school, and police were looking for the suspect.