Social Media Sites Spread Word of Copley Tragedy, Give Forum for Grief

Last Sunday, close-knit Copley Township faced incomprehensible tragedy when , including three children, in a 10-minute shooting spree.

Although we may never fully know why Michael Hance went on his violent rampage, word of the shootings spread through social media within minutes of the first siren.

“All my friends were talking about it on Facebook Sunday," said Ashley Garcia, 18, a 2011 Copley High School graduate. "I knew that one of them was my friend.”

Fifteen-year-old Jacob Kalish also was reading his Facebook page Sunday at about 11:30 a.m. The first 911 call came to Copley Police at 10:56 a.m.

“Everybody was on Facebook saying someone was shooting," Kalish said. "I knew my friends were hanging out over near Schocalog, and I texted them, 'Stay inside. There's a shooter on the loose'."

Twitter and Facebook has continued to buzz since Sunday with details, some verifiable, others exaggerated. With two weeks to go before classes begin, Copley High School students organized a candlelight vigil for teenage victims Amelia Shambaugh and Autumn Johnson through Facebook that drew more than 200 people.

Within 24 hours of the shootings, students, teachers, parents, adults and people who never knew the victims were using Twitter and Facebook-based memorial pages to mourn and offer condolences. Since Sunday, there have been over 12,000 facebook posts.

From RIP Amelia Shambaugh 

Shamby, your incredible smile, positive attitude and caring personality made everyone you met take notice. It was truly a joy to have known you. Your 8th grade science teacher.

Fly high with the angels ♥

From RIP Johnson Family 

I am truly sorry for all you have lost! I don't know any of you but my heart aches for you all! Your in my thoughts and prayers everyday! Please know there are thousands of people praying for you and grieving with you! May god rest the souls of these victims!

To the Johnson Family; I had the privilege to serve with 1st Sgt Russ Johnson for over 15 years. He was among the finest we had in Ohio. He always had a smile no matter what was happening. An insperation to all who knew him.

From the Copley Massacre Memorial Wall

God bless and help and heal all of those invoved in this tragedy...from the victims and their families to the neighborhood, to the awesome police force, to those, as myself, who raised a family in that loving neighborhood years ago...my heart is heavy, especially with the 11 year olds death, and the teenagers...

From Twitter  #copleyshooting #dieter, #johnson 

That #copley shooting is so sad and senseless. Never press peoples buttons, you don't know who is a #whackjob among us!

Thinking of the friends and family of yesterday's victims in the tragic #Copley shooting, and feeling especially grateful for my own.

Please pray for the innocent victims of the horrific shooting rampage in my #copley #fairlawn #Ohio community yesterday. #dieter #johnson

Memorial videos can also be seen on the following You-Tube pages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec2Fe9MtfqM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2hB0yq-0Pw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAbl8nAx_90

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWO5A8qiP00

Local Voices Blog: Too Close to Home