Injured school official thanks Olathe East community for ‘love and support’ after shooting
READ MORE
Olathe East High School shooting
A shooting at a Johnson County high school injured a school resource officer and an administrator, according to police. The suspect, a student, is in custody.
Expand All
The school administrator who was shot last week at Olathe East High School posted a photo of himself Wednesday morning giving the thumbs up sign and saying he was at home recovering.
Kaleb Stoppel, Olathe East’s assistant principal and athletic director, was one of three people injured in the shooting Friday.
“Sending all my love to our Olathe East community & beyond,” he wrote on Twitter. “The love & support for my family & I has been incredible. It is helping me get through, thank you.”
His post continued, saying he was recovering at home with family and was praying for the “healing of all involved.”
The shooting unfolded Friday morning when school resource officer Erik Clark responded to the main office to assist with what was described by authorities as an administrative matter.
Clark and the shooter, who was identified as a student, exchanged gunfire.
Stoppel, Clark and the student were injured.
All three were transported to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Stoppel and Clark were released Friday afternoon.
On Saturday, 18-year-old Jaylon Desean Elmore, was charged with attempted capital murder. He remains hospitalized in critical condition, a hospital official said Wednesday morning.
Olathe East students returned to school on Monday. They were greeted by an extra police presence, therapy dogs and extra counseling services to ring in a “soft start to the day.”
“We have informed our staff that our main priority tomorrow and this week is reestablishing a sense of comfort and safety among our students, so please be assured that all staff will offer grace, flexibility and understanding as it relates to academics, attendance and grades for students,” said Olathe East Principal Kerry Lane in a message to families Sunday.
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 10:47 AM.
