Letter: Bullies provoke school shootings

Friday, March 16, 2001 | 3:44 a.m.

With the recent school shooting, I wonder why the experts haven't figured it out yet. You don't need a professional degree to understand continual hassling and badgering provoke these tragic events.

Instead of alerting authorities to these potential marksmen, turn in the tormenters. Put a stop to the initial problem before it gets to this point.

Maybe if the bullies were the only victims in these shootings, they'd think twice before picking on others. Why isn't the news media tracking down these harassing students? Ask them why they hounded the kid(s) till they snapped. Seek out the parents of these ruffians for answers on why they didn't curb their little punks. Ask them all how they feel now that innocent lives were lost as a result of their antagonistic behavior.

This misconduct isn't tolerated in any other environment. It carries severe consequences, including civil and criminal lawsuits.

The teenage gunmen's families should turn around and sue the school districts for not stopping the abuse. A few multimillion-dollar settlements might urge someone to find a quick solution.

Young lives are snuffed out and others wasted behind bars, for reasons that are preventable. School shootings are becoming so frequent, soon they will barely make the front page or evening news.

NANCY C. RIVERA