A Very Lucky Girl : 10/15/2009
You do not clean a loaded firearm. This rifle had to be intentionally shot. This fella needs pyschriatic help and all firearms removed from that residence.

RE: The shooting at Mattituck High : 10/13/2009
A mother’s view Someone suggested that I read the [anonymous] comments [on The Suffolk Times’ Web site] following the different versions of the Oct. 8 events. After doing so, I felt very hurt by many of the comments. I guess they succeeded in their goal. I noticed people are so brave when they do not have to sign their name to ignorant, misinformed comments. Most of them were way off base. Let me help you! Take into consideration the facts that have not yet been released due to an ongoing investigation. Regardless of what occurred on Oct. 8 in the backyard of the 28-year-old adult, the fact is a .22-caliber rifle was fired. Another fact is that a fragment of that bullet passed through the screen of my daughter’s 9th period class. Not the lunchroom, but the ground floor classroom. The most important fact is that it did hit my daughter in the center of her left temple, causing her a lot of pain. She is still experiencing headaches, soreness and pain, especially when she travels over bumps in a car or bus. When I commented that she is doing well, I meant she has handled the whole incident surprisingly well. How many of you could return to school the very next day after such a terrorizing experience? I am very proud of her. She had her picture taken at The Suffolk Times because she was told they were going to use one of their photos from the “Mattituck Idol” performances, which she was ashamed of because she had 101-degree fever. She then agreed to have her picture taken, but did not want to comment on the events of Oct. 8. The clever reporter was able to get some information from her. This was totally her decision. My afterthought was her community would see that she was doing well. I just want to comment that I, a citizen of this caring community, have the right to freedom of religion and my own beliefs. I do not print hurtful comments to people who do not share my faith in God. I was informed that the “shooter” was someone who suffered from mental illness and had to rely on medicine to be able to exist in a normal environment. I have sympathy for people like that, especially the families who have to deal with a loved one, or a friend, who must rely on daily meds. My fear is when sick people [are] taking their meds, as in some of the people who have commented with harsh words, these people have such rage and think they do not need to seek help. We are supposed to care for one another, not hurt each other. I pray for a world without hate, anger and weapons. It may only be a dream — well, it is my dream. Keep your mean comments to yourself. Use your free time to help, instead of hurt. If this event had turned out tragically, I am sure I would have been very angry, and deeply depressed. I, too, would need meds to go on living, but I know that in order to heal, you must forgive. Finally, I wish to thank our school district for protecting all of our children that day. Not knowing what was going on must have been very frustrating for everyone. The kids and staff should be commended. I also would like to thank the parents, who were all put to the test that day, along with our local police department for their quick response, and for all the hard work it takes to find out the answers. Although this saga is not over for those who are personally involved, it should be for those who are not. Peace be with all of you! Darlene Olsen (Editor’s note: Ms. Olsen’s daughter is Mattituck High School shooting victim Darlene Olsen)

Shooting at Mattituck H.S. : 10/13/2009
Maybe the defendant's mother should face charges for ...asking her son to clean the gun while she went in to NYC. Also, if he was at home on his porch, how did the police dogs that started searching at the school find him?

Yep, the media is made of a bunch of irresponsible jerks who live to screw up information to the public : 10/11/2009
Poster below said: "Naturally, the folks in the media don't bother to pick up the phone and ask a ballistics expert what kind of things they need to find out about in order to report accurately." OK, these stories are under the category of "breaking news" -- meaning they are written as soon as information is available in order to get the word out to the public. The Suffolk Times no longer has a week -- they have a web site, which you, dear commentators, visit quite often. These articles were the first on this horrible situation, as the news was BREAKING. Naturally, there will be follow-up stories with details — and perhaps interviews with experts on ballistics, the art of gun cleaning and what it's like living with your parents next to a school as an unemployed bartender and part-time cleaner of loaded rifles.

Re: Run Cleaning : 10/11/2009
Re: Gun cleaning Not true, the weapon in this case is a 22 rifle. Probably a rimfire. I have a 22 ruger, you can pull back the bolt and clean the chamber. Generally the round should eject, but if he didn't know what he was doing there are many ways the cartridge could have discharged. Either he hit the trigger accidentally not knowing there was a round there or if its an auto-loader his hand could have slipped off the charging rod and caused a 'slam-fire', which is less likely as thats not supposed to happen unless the bolt relief is not spec'd correctly (damaged rifle). In any case the key is whether or not there is more than one empty casing. And even then some people keep empty brass for home reloading. But thats much less likely for a .22. As per the number of gun shots, you'd be surprised how often people can't accurately recall such things. Sometimes people believe hes a bad dude and convince themselves they heard lots of shots. How many people who witness the JFK assassination swear up and down they heard more than 3 shots? Like others i am inclined to believe if this man had malice he would have crossed the road to the school. The distance from the school from the pictures would appear to be at least 100 yards, probably more. Its not easy to hit anything beyond 100 yards with a .22 rimfire (assuming that is indeed the ammo). Its a very light bullet that loses a lot of velocity very quickly. Its the number one thing this poor girl had going for her. The previous articles alluded to the bullet going through a screen, not the actual glass (was the window open?) At 100 yds or more a 22 LR or even magnum would almost certainly bounce off your average window, especially a commercial code window. Anyhow, the range is certainly not optimal if this was intentional. But who knows maybe this guy is crazy and dumb. Naturally, the folks in the media don't bother to pick up the phone and ask a ballistics expert what kind of things they need to find out about in order to report accurately. So we don't really know if there were multiple casings, how far the porch was from the school, if any other bullets were recovered etc....

Gun cleaning : 10/10/2009
I am told by someone who should know that you cannot clean a loaded gun as cleaning requires taking it apart.

Criminal minds... : 10/10/2009
If he wanted to cause damage he could have dressed in all black with a mask on and went into the door near the nurse office or cafeteria where there is ZERO security...do serious damage...run back home and change before anyone knew what hit them. Sometimes if we are going to pin point someone as a criminal you should imagine what it would be like to be one to see if there is any sense in these accusations. I personally think he was cleaning the gun. Once we find out the TRUTH about gun shells we will learn more. Either way let this be wake up call to Mattituck High School's security.

Let the police do the work! Shame on you all. : 10/10/2009
I strongly feel that if he wanted to cause damage to kids at school he could have done so very very easily considering his backyard is nearly school property. As a former student of Mattituck, I know security on that side of the building is non existent. He would also know that being a former student as well and take advantage if he truly is a criminal. Besides...do criminals return lost cell phones?

Wow : 10/10/2009
Didn't realize there were so many crime scene investigators posting comments. Nobody knows exactly what happened so at least show a little respect to his family until the FACTS come out.

: 10/10/2009
I Thought this A**was a RASTAMAN?

: 10/9/2009
Police don't find "casings" for a gun which is accidentally discharged, they find "a casing". For the community's sake lets hope a hangin' judge gets this case.

Pray he gets locked up : 10/9/2009
Did you see this whackjob on his perpwalk? He mugged for the camera, "Hi, Oprah". He thinks it's a joke.

: 10/9/2009
Thank God everyone is Ok! Pray, for victims and people that do wrong, because they both need Gods help.

accidentally discharged the rifle? : 10/9/2009
If this was accidental then why did Amanda claim she heard 3 to 4 gunshots?