Gabriel Parker, teen charged in Ky. school shooting in Marshall County, pleads guilty
Gabriel Parker, the teen who killed two students and injured others in a mass shooting at Marshall County High School pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon.
Parker was charged with two counts of murder and 14 counts of assault.
He had been charged as an adult in the case and could spend life in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 12.
Parker was 15 when he was arrested and charged in connection with the January 2018 Kentucky school shooting that left 15-year-olds Bailey Holt and Preston Cope dead.
Marshall County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dennis Foust said Tuesday afternoon that as attorneys handling the case were preparing for trial amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that “we were not going to be able to begin the trial on June 1.”
“Best case scenario, it might be January 2021 or it might be June of 2021,” he said.
The Holt and Cope families had been informed ahead of time about the plea agreement and were “ready to get it resolved,” Foust said.
“It’s a bittersweet day,” he said. “There aren’t any winners in a case like this.”
But, Foust said, “hopefully this will be the first chapter in closure and beginning the healing process.”
Parker has been held in Christian County while awaiting trial. Now 18, he has received his high school diploma during his time in jail, WTVF in Nashville reported.
WPSD in Paducah shared a statement from Parker’s mother, Mary Garrison Minyard, in which she said she was sorry for what had happened.
“To every child in the school that day, to every parent and loved one of those children; to the school system and entire community, I’m so sorry. Most especially, my most heartfelt apologies go to those children hurt that day and their families,” she wrote. “To the Holt and Cope families, I know there will never be words that I can say to make up for the precious lives you’ve lost, but I hope (you) know how deeply I feel that loss and how truly sorry I am.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 3:49 PM.
