Preliminary reports suggest that Deputy Gaskill, who is SWAT-trained, sought out and encountered the suspect. Although two students were wounded prior to Deputy Gaskill's intervention, he shot at the suspect. The threat ended - either with the deputy's shot or the shooter turning his gun on himself. As a practical matter...it doesn't matter.
Deputy Gaskill is a hero, an example of what it looks like when courage, honor and capacity intersect at a critical moment. As with every shooting the facts will soon present themselves, and a better understanding of what happened will surface. Suffice to say there are probably high school students at home with their parents tonight, instead of dead, because Blaine Gaskill knows his business.
Two students were wounded - one fighting for her life. I don't doubt that this weighs on Deputy Gaskill. "If only..." No, sir.
Let's also not forget a set of parents who got the news today that their son didn't make it. Whatever their dreams of his future, their hopes for him... He did not walk through their door today, as he had so many times before. What a private hell they must be sharing, to know what he committed in his last moments, the pain he caused others.
Ending the threat had to be done, and a good man took it upon himself to do it. That is enough for now.
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