The incident that occurred at Central Visual Performing Arts High School in St. Louis in October 2022 was a tragic event that shook the community to its core. The shooter, 19-year-old former student Orlando D. Harris, meticulously planned out his attack, targeting teachers, students, and members of the school’s LGBT community.
The manifesto that Harris had written outlined his goals and targets for that fateful day. He had identified specific locations within the school, including the Annex building and gymnasium, as well as specific classrooms and teachers he planned to target. Harris had also compiled a list of everything he needed to carry out his attack, including his satisfaction at being able to purchase an AR-15 rifle.
The manifesto also included a psychiatrist’s report on Harris’ behavior and mental state, as well as a countdown to the planned attack. Harris had recorded names of other mass shooters and aspired to be the “Next Mass Shooter of 2022.” The chilling manifesto concluded with plans to kill everyone who lived in his home by burning the house down.
On the day of the shooting, Harris arrived at the school armed with a long-barreled AR-style rifle and over 600 rounds of ammunition. He attempted to enter the building but was confronted by unarmed security officers. Despite their efforts to stop him, Harris managed to enter the school and proceeded to carry out his attack, resulting in the tragic deaths of teacher Barbara “Jean” Kuczka and student Alexandria Bell.
The response from law enforcement was swift, with officers arriving at the scene within minutes of the initial 911 call. They located Harris inside the building and were able to apprehend him soon after. The investigation into the shooting revealed that Harris had acquired the AR-15 rifle from a private seller after failing a background check at a licensed dealer earlier in the month.
Family members had raised concerns about Harris’ mental health prior to the shooting, as he had attempted suicide multiple times and had a history of psychiatric treatment. Despite these warning signs, Harris was able to carry out his devastating attack on the school.
The incident report detailing the investigation into the shooting was released on July 26, 2024, after certain information was redacted. The report serves as a chilling reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and access to proper treatment for those in need. It also highlights the need for stronger gun control laws to prevent individuals like Harris from obtaining weapons and carrying out acts of violence.
