“He’s just talking big.”
“Showing off.”
“Acting tough.”
It would have been easy for four Elida High School students to think that way when Tristan Ascura told them he was going to “shoot up” the school when classes resume Sept. 1.
However, they didn’t do that. They heeded the advice given by authorities after so many tragic school shootings across the nation. They got involved and reported their concerns to the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Three hours later Ascura was in custody for inducing panic and detectives discovered an AR-15 rifle and 500 rounds of ammunition in Ascura’s possession.
We’ll likely hear Ascura say in court this week that his threats were just hot air and of poor judgment. He’ll also likely point out it is perfectly legal to own an AR-15 rifle.
To that we agree with Lt. Andre McConnahea of the sheriff’s office: Responsible gun owners don’t make threats against a school.
It’s scary to think what might have happened had the four students not come forward or if the sheriff’s office had not taken their stories seriously. All are heroes for doing the right thing.
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