Vigil offers prayers, comfort after deadly Chardon High School shooting

CHARDON, Ohio - The community gathered at a Chardon church Monday night to pray and remember the student who was killed during the shooting at Chardon High School.

Four other students were injured when shots were fired by a student gunman just before 8 a.m. Monday. Authorities said the alleged shooter was forced from the building by a teacher and later turned himself in.

Monday’s prayer vigil at the Chardon Assembly of God Church was one of several throughout the area following the deadly shooting. It was a way for the community to pray for students, as well as offer them comfort and support.

“It’s one thing to be known as the Hilltoppers. It’s one thing to be known for all the snow that we have. This is not something Chardon wanted to be known for and it has to stop today,” said youth minister Dean Carlo. “We need to claim our country back to God. We need to ask him for forgiveness."

Many of the students in attendance knew 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor, who was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

Students said one teacher pulled a wounded student out of the hallway. While wearing a bulletproof vest, the teacher helped into the classroom and waiting for paramedics to arrive.

“I think the first day is going to be hard to go back in that classroom knowing that he was dragged in there and knowing that he got hurt today,” student Zach Weiland said. “Just knowing how much everybody cares helps a lot.”

Area clergy will have a candlelight vigil on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church at 401 North St. in Chardon.