KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Six months ago Thursday, the Santa Clarita community was forever changed after the tragedy of the Saugus High shooting.
On Thursday Nov. 14, 2019, at approximately 7:45 a.m. Nathaniel Berhow, a student at Saugus High shot and killed two schoolmates and injured three others before turning the gun on himself.
Two students, 15-year-old Gracie Muehlberger and 14-year-old Dominic Blackwell, were killed as a result of the shooting. Three other students were injured before Berhow turned the gun on himself, resulting in his death the next day.
Andrew Gardetto, Addison Koegle and Mia Page-Tretta were also struck by gunfire and were transported to the hospital for treatment.
See Related: ‘We Are Here For You:’ Saugus High Teacher Shares Message Of Hope To Students
The Santa Clarita Valley community rallied behind the whose effected by the Saugus shooting whether it be restaurants donating profits raised to the affected families, or having pray vigils at Central Park.
“There is a pride and spirit in Santa Clarita that is very special,” then-Mayor Marsha McLean said during the Saugus Strong vigil. “Saugus, you have a fabulous school with fabulous spirit and pride, and I know that you will not let anything take that away from you.”
Less than two weeks after the shooting, a celebration of life was held for Gracie at Real Life Church in Valencia.
“We have what feels like a hole, or emptiness in our chest,” Bryan Muehlberger, Gracie’s father, said at the time. “We keep asking why, but the answer isn’t here yet.”
Bryan shared a variety of his favorite memories with Gracie, from dancing with her to going on family vacations.
“She was able to make a larger impact on more people and more communities than most of us will do in a lifetime,” he said.
On the same weekend as Gracie’s celebration of life, a similar memorial was held for Dominic.
“A senseless act of violence extinguished the lives of two beautiful young people,” Hall said at the service. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Gracie Muehlberger as they mourn the loss of their dear Cinderella.”
Hall described his grandson as “a kid with an infectious laugh, a bright smile and a kind heart.”
“A lot will be said, proposed, and done in the coming weeks and months regarding the issues that were raised by this tragedy. But that’s not why we’re here today,” Hall said at the time. “We’re here to commemorate the life of our son, our big brother, our grandson, our nephew, our friend.”
To donate to victims of the Saugus High shooting, click here.
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The community has grown stronger but there are still questions that have gone unanwsered. How did a teenager obtain a 80% hand gun? How did the mother not know about a firearm in her home. In my day it was a Playboy hidden in your room not a firearm. No matter where I hid it my parents always found it and I was punished for having something I was told not too. If anything this should be a wake up call for parents to be more involved in your child’s life. Whether it be monitoring their internet usage or friends they hang out with.