2007 SuccessTech Academy shooting

Mass shooting in Cleveland, Ohio December 2025 January 2025 2007 SuccessTech Academy shooting File:2007 SuccessTech Academy shooting.webp 300 CCTV still of Coon during the shooting Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. Teachers and students at SuccessTech Academy 2007 10 10 1:09 p.m. EDT; UTC−04:00 Mass shooting school shooting 1 (perpetrator) 5 (4 by gunfire) Asa Hailey Coon Retaliation for school bullying * .22 caliber RG-10 revolver .38 caliber Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver Three folding knives (unused) On October 10, 2007, a school shooting occurred at SuccessTech Academy in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Two students and two teachers were injured on the fourth floor of the building before the perpetrator, 14-year-old freshman Asa Coon, killed himself inside of a classroom. Shooting On October 10, 2007, Coon entered the five-story school building shortly before 1:00 p.m. EST, armed with two handguns (a .22 caliber revolver and a .38 caliber revolver),Chris Maag Ian Urbina Ian Urbina Student, 14, Shoots 4 and Kills Himself in Cleveland School 2007-10-10 https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/us/11cleveland.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin The New York Times 2009-02-25 and a box of additional rounds of ammunition for each pistol; three folding knives were also in Coon's possession, which were all stocked together in a duffel bag.Police: Suspended boy shoots 4 at Ohio school 2007-10-10 NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21224357 2009-02-25 He dressed in a Marilyn Manson concert shirt, black jeans, and black-painted fingernails,"5 Hospitalized After 14-Year-Old Goes on Shooting Rampage at Cleveland High School" Coon walked to the fourth floor of the building and entered the men's washroom where he loaded two revolvers. The shooting began at 1:09 p.m. on the fourth floor of the building, after 14-year-old Michael Peek punched Coon in the face for bumping into him and shoving a gun in his face. When Peek walked away, Coon shot him in the abdomen. Four shot at school, gunman kills himself The Plain Dealer October 11, 2007 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/four_shot.html Michael O' Malley Gabriel Baird 2009-03-01 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090413185847/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?%2Fschoolshooting%2Fmore%2Ffour_shot.html April 13, 2009 New Video Shows Student Terror in Ohio Fox News October 11, 2007 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20071011091035/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,301065,00.html dead October 11, 2007 2009-08-17 Shooting rips Cleveland tech school eSchool News October 11, 2007 http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=49098&CFID=5791735&CFTOKEN=29355084 2009-02-07 June 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes Another student, 17-year-old Darnell Rodgers, suffered a graze gunshot wound to the elbow in the same hallway. Michael Grassie, a social studies teacher, was shot in the chest when Coon entered his classroom. A second teacher, David Kachadourian, was shot in the back of his shoulder while in the hallway evacuating his students.Scott Stephens Wounded SuccessTech teacher shepherded students to safety 2007-10-12 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/teacher_shepherded.html 2009-03-16 2009-04-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20090416083744/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/teacher_shepherded.html dead During the entire shooting which lasted 1 minute and 22 secondsPolice Release Video of SuccessTech Shooting https://www.cleveland19.com/story/7265939/police-release-video-of-successtech-shooting/ cleveland19.com October 25, 2007 July 11, 2025 Coon was said to be swearing. The shooting ended when Coon entered a classroom on the fourth floor and fatally shot himself in the head. SuccessTech shooter shot himself in the head The Plain Dealer October 11, 2007 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/success_tech_shooter_shot_hims.html 2009-01-24 Donna Miller Ohio school shooter had history of problems CNN October 11, 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/cleveland.shooting/index.html 2007-10-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20071011135551/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/11/cleveland.shooting/index.html 2007-10-11Joe Milicia 4 Hurt, Gunman Killed in Ohio School 2007-10-11 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/10/AR2007101001486.html The Washington Post 2009-03-07 According to police chief Michael Mcgrath, Coon had fired eight shots during the shooting.2007-10-11 Student gunman in Ohio warned classmates of attack; records show history of mental problems https://www.wave3.com/story/7198563/student-gunman-in-ohio-warned-classmates-of-attack-records-show-history-of-mental-problems/ 2025-05-02 www.wave3.com en The school was placed on a lockdown shortly after the shooting. A 14 year old girl was trampled by various students while fleeing from the school and was rushed to the hospital, and made a full recovery. Victims Four individuals were wounded by gunfire in the shooting; two students and two teachers. The two injured teachers were treated at MetroHealth Medical Center, and the two students injured were treated at the Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Associated Press Report: Teen shoots four; kills self at Cleveland high school 2007-10-10 CNN https://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/10/cleveland.shooting/index.html 2009-03-06 2007-10-10 An inside account of school shooting The Plain Dealer http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/insideaccount.html 2009-03-16 2009-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413192852/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/insideaccount.html dead A 14-year-old student was also hospitalized for knee and back injuries received from being trampled in a hallway by fleeing students.Maag Chris Ian Urbina Ian Urbina 2007-10-11 Student, 14, Shoots 4 and Kills Himself in Cleveland School The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/us/11cleveland.html 2009-03-11 One student and one teacher were discharged from the hospital later that day; the other students were released the following day.2007-10-11 Video From Cameras Inside School To Be Reviewed WEWS-TV http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14318677/detail.html 2009-03-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20071029134639/http://www.newsnet5.com/news/14318677/detail.html 2007-10-29 The last victim was discharged from the hospital on October 15.Kaufman Gil 2007-10-16 Cleveland School Reopens After Shooting; Teacher Recalls Look Of 'Total Anger' On Gunman's Face MTV News http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572036/20071016/index.jhtml https://web.archive.org/web/20071019054224/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572036/20071016/index.jhtml dead October 19, 2007 2009-03-16 Perpetrator Asa Hailey Coon (September 22, 1993 – October 10, 2007) was born in New York.Visit Asa Coon's memorial page on We Remember https://www.weremember.com/asa-coon/8v7h/memories 2025-04-08 www.weremember.com en-US He had an older brother named Stephen Coon, who had a criminal record and was released 6 weeks before the shooting. He had a twin sister named Nicole. Both twins varied differently. Nicole was outgoing, had blonde hair and played outdoors; in contrast, Asa was introverted, had long dark hair and played indoors. They had settled into Cleveland, Ohio sometime in Asa's childhood. As children, he and Stephen physically abused their mother; this continued through until their early teens. Stephen was arrested 2 times for domestic violence by the age of 13 years old.2007-10-19 Troubled teen had rough home life https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/troubled-teen-had-rough-home-life/ People's World en-US In February 2006, Asa, aged 12, was charged with domestic violence after he and Nicole were in an argument and, when his mom tried to break up the fight, slapped his mother and called her a vulgar name. In court, a magistrate instructed Asa's family to attend counselling sessions together, and also ordered Asa to undergo psychological testing. Asa slammed the paperwork on the ground, ran out of the room and past his mother, nearly knocking her to the ground.Milicia Joe October 13, 2007 Uncle says school shooter was upset with teachers following after-school fight https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/nation-world/2007/10/13/uncle-says-school-shooter-was/52770013007/ New Bedford Standard-Times en-USOctober 11, 2007 Student gunman showed history of mental problems https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2007/10/11/student-gunman-showed-history-of-mental-problems/31539218007/ Gainesville Sun en-US He had been placed on a three-day suspension two days prior to the shooting for an altercation with another student regarding the existence of God.Scott Stephens Rachel Dissell School shooter has record of violence, suicidal talk but was called genius by some 2007-10-11 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/who_was.html The Plain Dealer 2009-03-07 2009-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413193544/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/who_was.html dead Associated Press New Video Shows Student Terror in Ohio; Gunman's Brother Arrested 2007-10-11 https://www.foxnews.com/story/new-video-shows-student-terror-in-ohio-gunmans-brother-arrested Fox News 2009-02-28 The day he was suspended was the same day Stephen was arrested in connection with an armed robbery.Maag Christopher 2007-10-12 Short but Troubled Life Ended in Shooting and Suicide https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/12/us/12cleveland.html 2025-05-02 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 According to Coon's uncle, Larry Looney, Coon said he was upset because the teachers would not listen to what he had to say regarding the fight.Joe Milicia Gunman's uncle: Teen upset with teachers 2007-10-12 https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-12-cleveland-uncle_N.htm USA Today 2009-03-03 According to fellow students and teachers, Coon had apparently been the target of bullying by students at the school for his Gothic appearance and eccentric behavior, and had made threats of violence in front of students and teachers the week before the shooting. Associated Press School gunman had access despite threats 2007-10-11 CTV News https://www.ctvnews.ca/school-gunman-had-access-despite-threats-1.259683 https://web.archive.org/web/20121019010830/http://www.ctvnews.ca/school-gunman-had-access-despite-threats-1.259683 dead October 19, 2012 2009-03-07 Joseph Fletcher, a friend of Coon, said he had been "pushed too far" and that teachers were unable to help with his problems.Patrick O'Donnell Shooter "pushed too far" 2007-10-10 http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/shooter_pushed_too_far.html The Plain Dealer 2009-03-07 Michael Grassie, who was one of Coon's teachers, said that Coon was frustrated because he was given a failing grade in his World History class,Joseph L. Wagner Shooter Asa Coon was failing, says wounded SuccessTech teacher Michael Grassie 2007-10-16 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/failing.html The Plain Dealer 2009-03-07 2009-04-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20090413185847/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/failing.html dead and had made attempts to goad him into a fight. Associated Press Teacher: Cleveland School Shooter Upset About Failing History 2007-10-15 Fox News https://www.foxnews.com/story/teacher-cleveland-school-shooter-upset-about-failing-history 2009-03-07 Coon was suspended from school for 10 days in 2006 for attempting to harm a student.Press JOE MILICIA The Associated Shooter's Access to School a Mystery https://www.theledger.com/story/news/2007/10/12/shooters-access-to-school-a-mystery/25860065007/ 2025-07-16 The Ledger en-USPress JOE MILICIA, Associatged 2007-10-11 Cleveland gunman ridiculed by others https://www.starbeacon.com/archives/cleveland-gunman-ridiculed-by-others/article_ce76d8d9-9857-583e-9582-e75782365f41.html 2025-07-17 Star Beacon en In 1997, a social worker in Cortland County, New York, reported that three-year-old Coon was living with his family in a garbage-shrewn house, and his older brother threatened neighbors with knives, rocks, and a fake bomb. When Coon was four, his mother, Lori Looney, was convicted of neglect by the county juvenile court.2007-10-13 New round of US shootings claims young lives https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2007/10/shoo-o13.html 2025-05-02 World Socialist Web Site en Social workers got involved again later. In 1999, Coon shot himself in the arm with his brother's BB gun, which was then turned over to the police by their mother, who did not know where the toy came from. It turned out that the toy was a gift from the boys father, Thomas Coon, who was largely not involved in the boys lives. In 2000, Coon had burn and scratch marks on him. He scratched himself because of flea bites, but he refused to say where the burn marks came from. Someone allegedly said that his brother had burned him.Rachel Dissell The Plain Dealer 2007-10-11 Social workers dealt with Asa Coon https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/social_workers_dealt_with_asa.html 2025-05-02 cleveland en Juvenile Court records show that Coon had a criminal history and mental health problems since 2005 (age 12), and threatened to commit suicide while in a mental health facility in summer 2006.Joe Milicia Cleveland boy shoots 4, himself at school 2007-10-11 http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071011/NEWS/710110398 The Press Democrat 2009-03-07 2011-07-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726215116/http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20071011/NEWS/710110398 dead For striking his mother in 2005, Coon was forced to undergo probation, counseling, and community service.Karl Turner cleveland com 2007-10-11 Who was Asa Coon? https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2007/10/who_was_asa_coon.html 2025-05-02 cleveland en Aftermath At 2:50 p.m., 1.5 hours following the shooting, Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson announced in a news conference that five people, including three students, were hurt in a shooting at the SuccessTech Academy. Four of them were shot; the students being in "stable" condition and the adults being in a more "elevated" state.School shooting: 4 shot; gunman takes own life; police say teen led troubled life 2007-10-10 WKYC http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=75854 2009-03-15 When informed of the shooting, Nicole Coon screamed and ran out of the house into the street, shouting "My brother! Oh God no." Classes throughout the Cleveland Metropolitan School District were canceled the following two days and resumed on Monday, October 15, and classes at SuccessTech Academy did not resume until Tuesday, October 16.Jesse Tinsley Cleveland schools reopen today, with new security plan 2007-10-15 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/reopen.html The Plain Dealer 2009-03-07 2009-04-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20090416081421/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/reopen.html dead Cleveland's public school system established an anonymous hotline for students to report threats and dangerous behavior. The school system also announced plans to install metal detectors in all its schools and hire additional armed security guards to patrol the campuses. Schools were instructed to implement additional security precautions, to be reviewed by a professional security firm. Crime scene photograph from school shooting makes way to Internet WKYC http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=76168 2007-10-15 A crime scene photo taken of Coon after his suicide was posted on a webpage promoting Rover's Morning Glory by Cleveland disc jockey Shane French (Rover), but soon taken down. Mayor Jackson called the photo, which he did not see, "extremely inappropriate"."Internet posting of Asa Coon death photo tracked", by Amanda Garret, The Plain Dealer Cleveland police officer Walter Emerick, who took the picture using his cell phone camera, was suspended from duty for eight days for sending the photo to other people, who eventually leaked it to the Internet.Mark Puente Patrick O'Donnell Asa Coon's photo on Web results in officer's suspension 2007-12-18 http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/photo_taken.html The Plain Dealer 2009-03-07 2009-04-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090412002555/http://www.cleveland.com/schoolshooting/plaindealer/index.ssf?/schoolshooting/more/photo_taken.html dead See also List of school shootings in the United States (2000s) References External links Shootings in Cleveland high school leave five injured, gunman killed Cleveland.com — Coverage of the SuccessTech Academy shooting https://web.archive.org/web/20080902031611/http://www.cleveland.com/news/photos/gallery.ssf?cgi-bin%2Fview_gallery.cgi%2Fcleve%2Fview_gallery.ata%3Fg_id=7453 2008-09-02 Category:2000s crimes in Ohio Category:2000s in Cleveland Category:2007 in Ohio Category:2007 mass shootings in the United States Category:Attacks on schools in 2007 Category:Crimes in Cleveland Category:High school shootings in the United States Category:Mass shootings in Ohio Category:Mass shootings involving revolvers Category:Non-fatal shootings in the United States Category:October 2007 crimes in the United States Category:School shootings committed by pupils Category:School shootings in Ohio Category:Suicides by firearm in Ohio Category:School shootings motivated by bullying Category:Bullying and suicide Category:Mass shootings in schools