The Children are Looking for a Way Out.

"Scott Moody's grandparents and his mother were at the Riverside High School senior awards ceremony Thursday night!?!
Scott was smiling throughout the ceremony!?!?!"
- Riverside School Superintendent Bernie Pachmeyer

Scott Moody carried a heavy burden growing up - perhaps too heavy for any one kid, people close to the 18-year-old said.

Throughout the years, his family farm struggled financially - owing about $45,000 in back property taxes - and they had trouble keeping up with the demanding workload, friends and neighbors said.

Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday afternoon violent video games and anti-depressants didn't play a factor in the shooting spree that claimed six lives Sunday and left a seventh victim in critical condition at The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus.

"He had quite a bit on his shoulders and the farm was in trouble financially," said Bret Davidson, 18, of 504 S. Carlisle St., Quincy, who was close friends with Scott. "But he'd never get mad easily. He didn't lose his temper."

Whatever made Scott allegedly shoot four family members and two family friends before reportedly turning the gun on himself hours before his graduation may never be known, Sheriff Michael Henry said.

The answer is tied to what happened around between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Sunday at his grandparents' 2337 W. State Route 47 farmhouse, a house known to have several guns, during the time of daily farm chores, detectives believe.

Bret stayed the night at Scott's 2647 W. State Route 47 farmhouse. If he hadn't gotten up at 6 a.m. Sunday to go home and do work on his family farm, he believes he could have been an eighth victim.

"Scott was asleep when I left the residence (at 6 a.m.)," Bret said. "There weren't any problems when I left."

He said Stacy's friend, whom he did not know by name, was still at the residence. That boy, who Bret said is from the West Liberty area, left at 7
a.m.

"The farm was under great stress," said family friend and neighbor Clifford Kelly, 65, of 3043 W. State Route 47. "When I was a kid, it used to be a nice dairy farm. It was showplace-like. But it started going down hill about 10 to 12 years ago."

During the last decade, the 450-acre farm has been dealt one-blow after another, neighbors said. As Scott grew up, the family relied more heavily on him for work and he struggled to keep up with the demanding labor of dairy farming. To make things worse, he got stuck in the middle of some family disputes, people close to the family said.

"Scott was looking forward to being able to farm and help his grandpa and be a farmer and get the farm back under its feet," Mr. Kelly said, explaining that he's lived next door for 19 years and he's known the family all his life.

With four of the victims being from the Riverside School District, school officials are working to help those in distress by the loss of their classmates.

Outside the school today, the flag flies at half staff.

Riverside Superintendent Bernie Pachmayer said the school was open today until 3 p.m. and grief counselors are available for students, staff and anyone else who needs it, including responders to the shootings.

Consolidated Care counselors, guidance staff from Indian Lake and Benjamin Logan school districts and local ministers also will be available at the high school Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Riverside counselors are to be at the school next week Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Consolidated Care counselors will assist from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

"We're going to organize our thoughts (today) to see what needs to be done," Superintendent Pachmayer said.
By Brian J. EvansExaminer Staff Writer6/1/05

I think sometimes, the right to choose can be the most painful to take away.