Clark County mourns loss of GRC students
Published 10:22 am Thursday, November 9, 2017
News of the shooting death of two Clark County teenagers has rocked the community as well as George Rogers Clark High School, where both victims and two of the suspects were students.
Adrianna Castro and Kayla Holland, both 16, died Tuesday night after they were shot while visiting a friend at the Washington Street Apartments in downtown Winchester.
Four suspects were arrested Wednesday in connection with the gun fight that broke out and the subsequent deaths.
Police were seeking a fifth suspect who had not been arrested as of press time.
Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Paul Christy said students and staff at GRC are still processing the deaths, and the district will offer whatever support it can during the grieving period.
“You can’t put into words the tragedy of losing two 16 year olds to gun violence,” Christy said.
He said the district has counselors and clergy ready at all of the schools to help students and their families work through the loss.
He said additional security steps may be taken in the immediate aftermath to ensure the safety of students and staff while they process the tragedy.
Christy said he is grateful to the community, as well as surrounding school districts, for the support they have offered.
Holland’s sister, Gabrielle Holland, made an emotional post to Facebook immediately following the shooting and expressed her concerns about gun violence.
“My sis, man. My lil sis. Why? I can’t believe it. I don’t wanna believe she died right at the scene,” Holland said. “Losing her is the worst, but seeing how she was killed is even worse. Sometimes I wish guns didn’t even exist because then it’d be harder for people to die. Too many people die by guns. I love you, my little sister. I always will.”
A candlelight vigil for Holland and Castro is planned for 6 p.m. today outside the Clark County Courthouse.
Services for Castro are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at Scobee Funeral Home. Arrangements for Holland were not available at press time.
Editor’s note: Comments taken from social media were edited for clarity.