Students Return To Noblesville West Middle School After Shooting

Students returning to Noblesville West Middle School Wednesday morning found notes of encouragement on their lockers. (Photo provided by Noblesville West Middle School)
 

Students are back at Noblesville West Middle School five days after officials say a male student shot and wounded a fellow student and a teacher.

At least three police vehicles are positioned on the school’s campus.

Nicole Green’s daughter is a student at Noblesville West. Green says she’s still in shock, but she’s focused on supporting her daughter and her friends.

“I’m just trying to stay positive for them because I don’t want them to see my fear,” Green says. “But I am 100 percent positive that Noblesville Schools are keeping my children safe and did everything that they could.”

The school is operating on a reduced schedule the rest of the week; the last day of the school year is Friday.

“I think it was just really emotionally healthy for everybody to be able to bond together,” says Noblesville Schools spokesperson Marnie Cooke. “And you know we can provide all of these resources to kids and just leave this school year on a good note.”

Cooke says positive notes on lockers, hugs, therapy dogs, and more than 50 counselors welcomed students back.

A parent hugs Nobleville West Middle School Principal Stacey Swan as students return to school Wednesday morning. (Photo provided by Noblesville West Middle School)
 

Green says she knows it’s tough on her daughter to be back in the school building today.

“I was a nervous wreck, just for her mentally, not for her safety. I knew she’d be safe,” she says. “Just the mental part of it, you know, her locker was close there, did she have to go up there by it, is she going to flash back in her mind to those things?”

Green says she would support putting metal detectors in the school buildings and thinks more mental health counselors should be available to help struggling kids.

Patti Daege’s granddaughter is an 8th grader at the school. She says she’s relieved the students had the chance to go back to school.

“I’m so glad that Noblesville made that choice to put them back in school today,” she says. “They have to heal and I didn’t want them to worry all summer long about that.”

The school will provide counselors for families throughout summer break.

Science teacher Jason Seaman is being hailed as a hero for tackling the shooter. He was shot three times but not seriously injured.

13-year-old Ella Whistler remains hospitalized in Indianapolis. School officials say her condition is improving.

Prosecutors are not immediately releasing information about the suspect.

WFYI’s Sarah Panfil contributed to this report. This post has been updated.