The parents of the teen suspected of killing a fellow student and injuring a teacher at an Oregon high school Tuesday said their son's actions left them "deeply confused and shocked."
"There are no words to describe the feelings we felt when we realized that our son might be involved," said Michael and Kristina Padgett of their son Jared Michael Padgett, a 15-year-old freshman.
Padgett opened fire at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, killing 14-year-old Emilio Hoffman, before police found him dead from a self-inflicted gun wound in the school's bathroom.
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"We are deeply sorrowful for the family of Emilio Hoffman and share their pain, heartache, and grief, for the loss of their oldest son and brother of the family," his parents said of the victim, a popular member of the school's junior varsity soccer team.
The Padgett family also apologized to Gym teacher Todd Rispler, who was shot in the hip but still managed to get to safety and initiate the school lock-down procedures, according to police.
"We are at a loss as to how and why this tragedy unfolded. Our family does not condone and has never promoted violence or hatred toward anyone," Padgett's parents said.
Family friends and fellow students of Padgett said he was a devout Mormon who planned to pursue a military career.
"I saw Jared at church every Sunday," Earl Milliron, a friend of the Padgett family, told the Associated Press. "He was very quiet, I never saw him angry, he was extremely even-tempered, he was always at the best possible behavior," Milliron added.
Michael and Kristina Padgett said they are cooperating fully with the police investigation.
— Elisha Fieldstadt