Snark Screed: April 2023

In a tragic and senseless act of violence, a school shooting occurred at John Adams High School in Portland, Maine, on Tuesday, leaving six people dead and several more injured. The perpetrator of the shooting has been identified as 18-year-old Marcus Johnson, a senior at the school. According to police reports, Johnson had a history of mental illness but no prior criminal record. Among the six victims of the shooting were two students, two teachers, and two custodial staff. The two students were identified as 15-year-old Mina Smith and 16-year-old Logan Anderson. Smith was a sophomore and Anderson a junior at John Adams High School. The two teachers were both longtime members of the John Adams High School faculty. They were identified as 53-year-old Paul Wilson and 58-year-old Margaret White. The two custodial staff members were identified as 55-year-old William Smith and 58-year-old Susan Jones. The Portland Police Department is still investigating the shooting and the motive behind it. So far, no other suspects have been identified. The school shooting has rocked the community of Portland and the entire state of Maine. Grief counselors have been made available to students and staff of John Adams High School. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire community.