Jonesboro massacre

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The Jonesboro school massacre occurred on Tuesday, March 24, 1998, in Craighead County, Arkansas, near northwestern Jonesboro. Four female students and a teacher were killed, and nine other students and a teacher were wounded, by two armed middle school boys: Mitchell Johnson, age 13, and Andrew Golden, age 11.

On the morning of the massacre, the boys, both dressed in army-style camouflaged clothes, stole a van from Johnson's home, and after loading it with camping supplies, food, and 7 weapons (two semi-automatic rifles, one bolt-action rifle and four handguns) which had been stolen from Golden's grandfather's house.

1 Shooters
2 Details
3 Victims killed
4 Notes
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Shooters

Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson both came from broken homes. Mitchell's mother had remarried an inmate at the prison where she was a guard. Mitchell reportedly had a good relationship with his stepfather and siblings. Adults who knew him described him as quiet and respectful. He faithfully attended church and sang in choir. However, his fellow students told a different story about a darker side. They said he was a braggart and a bully. He talked of wanting to belong to gangs and smoke marijuana. He also spoke of "having a lot of killing to do" and a bitter grudge against Shannon Wright, a teacher.

People who knew Andrew Golden also describe a darker side. He had once reportedly shot a classmate in the face with a pellet gun. There were reports that he had killed a playmate's cat and placed it in a trash can. However, no charges were filed against him. Many psychologists and criminal profilers have pointed out that serial killers often begin by killing animals.

It was also commented that both Andrew and Mitchell had a fascination with rap music, firearms and violent television shows. The news media reported that both youths wept in custody and showed remorse. They both asked for a Bible and a minister. The guards at the Jonesboro jail, however, told reporters this was only an affectation. They reported that the boys slept and ate well and for the most part seemed unaware of the severity of their crime. They said they only acted that way when their parents were present. Fellow inmates at the facility where the two youths were later confined reported that the two "bragged" about their offenses, particularly about the murder of Shannon Wright.

An American Justice television show on the case also brought to light the fact that shortly before the shootings, Mitchell had been charged with molesting a little girl during a visit with his father. Even had he not committed the schoolyard massacre, he was facing trial for this alleged offense.

[edit] Details

When the boys got to the school, Golden set off the fire alarm while Johnson took the weapons to the woods near the school. Golden then ran back to the woods where Johnson had taken the weapons. When children and teachers came out of the school, the two boys opened fire. 13 Students and 2 teachers were hit, 5 of whom died. Afterwards they attempted to run back to the van and escape, but were apprehended by police.

The two youths were among the youngest ever charged with murder in American history. The Jonesboro prosecutor later stated that were it not for their ages, he would have sought a death sentence for the pair. In August 1998, they were both sentenced to confinement until they reached the age of 21, the maximum sentence available under Arkansas law. They would have served until only 18 had federal authorities not added additional confinement for weapons charges. Judge Ralph Wilson commented "this is a case where the punishment will not fit the crime." This case led to a wide public outcry for tougher sentencing laws pertaining to juvenile offenders. Since then, the laws regarding young offenders have changed in Arkansas. Had Johnson and Golden committed their crimes several years later, they could have both been charged as adults and imprisoned for life.

Mitchell Johnson was released from custody on August 11, 2005, his 21st birthday. Andrew Golden will follow on May 25, 2007. The two will have "clean slates" with no legal restrictions placed upon them and clean criminal records. Many members of the Jonesboro community have since expressed outrage, citing the facts that they will not be placed under any supervision and will be able to legally purchase firearms.

Mitchell Johnson was arrested on New Year's Day 2007 while riding in a van with his roommate, Justin Trammell, who was convicted in Benton County, Arkansas, for killing his father in 1999 with a crossbow. Trammell was the first youth in Arkansas convicted under the Extended Juvenile Adjudication Act. The law allows for combined juvenile and adult sentences upon conviction of those younger than 18. It was passed in response to the Jonesboro school shootings. Johnson was arrested on misdemeanor charges of possessing a controlled substance (marijuana) and carrying a prohibited weapon (loaded 9mm pistol). (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Date:2007 Jan 10; by Michelle Bradford and Kenneth Heard)

[edit] Victims killed

Natalie Brooks (11)
Paige Ann Herring (12)
Stephanie Johnson (12) (no relation to Mitchell Johnson)
Brittheny R. Varner (11)
Shannon Wright (32) teacher

[edit] Notes

There have been petitions to change the name of Westside Middle School to Wright Middle School (after the teacher who was killed), but no such name change has occurred.^{[citation needed]}
The incident was the inspiration for Kids Who Kill, the second book by Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas.