The school where a boy shot dead seven people, then shot himself.

Tuesday 21 March is the third anniversary of the tragedy when 5 children, a teacher and a security guard were shot dead in Red Lake High School, Minnesota (US). A further 5 students were injured. The assailant then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. Earlier that day, he had shot dead his grandfather (a former police officer) and his grandfather's partner.

The 16-year-old killer used a .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun to shoot his grandfather. He then stole his grandfather's police-issued automatic handgun and his shotgun before driving to the school to start his attack. The boy's original .22-caliber handgun has not yet been traced, so the police do not know how he got it.

In the US, gun laws are determined at the state level, and gun laws vary widely from state to state. The state of Minnesota received a C- in the 2005 report cards issued by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence on 8 March 2006. This rating has not changed since the massacre. Although a license is required to purchase a handgun in Minnesota, once purchased a handgun may be loaned or sold privately without restriction. There is no requirement for handgun users to register their weapon with the authorities, so that the police do not know the number of guns in the state and cannot effectively trace weapons used in crimes such as the Red Lake Massacre.

Messages of condolence should be sent to the webmaster of the Red Lake Net News.