October 22, 2008

>Bullied Calif. Teen Kills Himself at School

>The Los Angeles Times reported today on yet another tragedy in California, this time the sad story of a 14-year-old boy who shot himself at school because of constant torment and bullying.

How many more stories like this do we have to read before schools and policy makers make a definitive commitment to address this problem?

Teen Who Killed Himself Inside Acton High School was Bullied, Students Say

Tall, awkward and dealing with a learning disability, 14-year-old Jeremiah Lasater was a target of frequent taunts by schoolyard bullies at Vasquez High School in Acton, students said Tuesday.

Even the classroom wasn’t always safe for the 6-foot-5 teen, who in middle school was poked and teased by some of his fellow special needs students, according to a former teacher.

Monday was no different. At least two boys threw food at Lasater during lunch, two students said.

Then, as lunch was ending and other students scurried to fifth-period classes, Lasater headed to a boy’s bathroom and locked himself inside a stall. He pulled out a weapon and shot himself in the head.

   

About Daryl Presgraves

       

Daryl Presgraves is the Director of Communications at GLSEN--the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network.