Tate Myre was a player on the Oxford football team. He won a regional award from the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association in February, and those who had seen him in action on the field sang his praises.
Myre was killed in a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan the week after Thanksgiving. Two other students died Tuesday. Authorities said that a fourth student died. The sheriff's office said he was 17 while the prosecutor said he was 15.
A teacher was injured. At least one of the injured is still in critical condition, according to the Oakland County Sheriff.
Undersheriff Michael McCabe said that law enforcement retrieved a loaded semiautomatic handgun from a 15-year-old student who was arrested. He told reporters that it was a weapon his father had just purchased.
The suspect was seen on video exiting a bathroom with a weapon, but it wasn't clear where he went next. The school district was praised for having protocols in place. The situation was one that students and school staffers had prepared for, the undersheriff said. The suspect was arrested within five minutes of the first call. Several students were killed or critically injured in that time.
What could have been seven more victims, if the suspect had been caught, would have been saved. Education Week says it is the deadliest school shooting of the year.
As authorities confirmed the identities of the victims, remembrances poured in from classmates.
The football team said that Myre was a great football player. Tate was a great young man with a bright future.
He was an honor student and had been on the team since his first year. He went to the University of Toledo to watch a game and posted a photo of himself in front of the field.
Myre died in a patrol car on the way to the hospital. An officer tried to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible, but he died in the car.
A Change.org petition to name the school stadium after Myre had more than 57,000 signatures by Wednesday afternoon, with many calling him a hero for trying to disarm the shooter before he was killed. The ongoing investigation made it impossible for him to confirm that detail.
The youngest victim so far was a member of the volleyball team, according to her social media. Karen McDonald said at a press conference that she was a basketball player.
The Oxford High School women's basketball team said in a statement that they will never forget your kind heart, silly personality, and passion for the game. The team said that St. Juliana was dedicated to Oxford Basketball.
"This season we play for you Hana," the message said.
She posted photos of herself with friends at school events. She shared photos of her family decorating a Christmas tree.
McDonald told reporters that she was one of the happiest and most joyful kids.
The family's expenses were raised on a Go Fund Me page, where the grandmother described the 17-year-old as a "beautiful granddaughter" who called her "GiGi."
The day has been unbelievable for all involved. The tragedy could never have been planned by any of us.
McDonald said Baldwin was a "talented artist and big sister."
