I arrived to the school where I taught a little late. Another teacher scooped me into her arms and told me one of my students had accidentally shot and killed another one of my students.
They were best friends. One child picked up his father’s loaded and unsecured gun and held it to his own head, laughing. His best friend screamed “No!” and the child responded by laughing and pointing the gun at his best friend when it went off.
Days later, the funeral home was packed with bewildered families and crying children. I cannot imagine the grief the parents of the boys must have felt. A few weeks later, the surviving friend changed schools. I hope he got help. His friend’s death was not his fault.