2003 Rocori High School shooting

School shooting in Cold Spring, Minnesota January 2026 April 2023 2003 Rocori High School shooting Rocori High School shooting Aaron Rollins memorial.jpg Memorial for Rollins after the shooting yes Cold Spring, Minnesota, U.S. 2003 09 24 CDT; UTC−05:00 45 27 52 N 94 25 42 W type:event_region:US-MN inline,title School shooting * Premeditated first-degree murder Second-degree murder yes Life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 33 years, consecutive sentence of 12 years in prison Guilty on both counts 2 John Jason McLaughlin Mark Johnson Retaliation for alleged bullying .22 caliber Colt Target Model semi-automatic pistol Wrongful death lawsuit against perpetrator's family and school district settled for $200,000 16 On September 24, 2003, a school shooting occurred at Rocori High School in Cold Spring, Minnesota, United States.Palmersheim Joseph Cooper teacher shares experience of Rocori High School shooting http://post.mnsun.com/2012/12/cooper-teacher-shares-experience-of-rocori-high-school-shooting/ 12 July 2013 Minnesota Sun Post December 28, 2012 The perpetrator, 15-year-old freshman John Jason McLaughlin,Lebrun Marcel Books, Blackboards, and Bullets: School Shootings and Violence in America 2008 R&L Education 978-1578868667 178 https://books.google.com/books?id=4SX7lY9g3foC&q=%22Rocori+High+School%22&pg=PA178 murdered 14-year-old freshman Seth Bartell and 17-year-old senior Aaron Rollins. McLaughlin was convicted of first-degree and second-degree murder charges and received a lengthy prison sentence. Shooting Perpetrator John Jason McLaughlin was born July 19, 1988. Prior to the shooting, McLaughlin was described as "quiet and withdrawn".1 DEAD, 1 CRITICAL IN SCHOOL GUNFIRE TEEN HELD IN COLD SPRING CASE, A TRAGIC FIRST FOR STATE http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FDDE6C060FADACA&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Saint Paul Pioneer Press 12 July 2013 Incident McLaughlin arrived at Rocori High School with a loaded Colt .22 caliber handgun with the intention of killing Bartell who, McLaughlin claimed, bullied him over his acne.BOY WAS TEASED ABOUT ACNE, NEIGHBORS SAY THEY DESCRIBE HIM AS 'GOOD KID, NO TROUBLE' http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FDDE6BFAECB99A1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 Saint Paul Pioneer Press September 25, 2003FATHER: GUN KEPT IN DRESSER MCLAUGHLIN USED PISTOL THAT WAS TO BE HANDED DOWN http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10B6D5702FE58920&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 St. Paul Pioneer Press July 12, 2005 McLaughlin met Bartell and Rollins as they were exiting the school locker room.Chalmers Phil Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer 2009 Thomas Nelson 978-1595551528 89 https://archive.org/details/insidemindofteen0000chal registration Jason McLaughlin bullying. He shot at Bartell, hitting him in the chest. McLaughlin fired a second shot at Bartell, which missed, ricocheted off a wall and hit Rollins in the neck, which quickly led to his death. Bartell attempted to flee the scene, but he was followed by McLaughlin, who fired another shot at Bartell, hitting him in the forehead.Teen Charged With Second-degree Murder In Cold Spring Shooting https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7rlNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6626,3067330&dq=jason-mclaughlin+forehead&hl=en 12 July 2013 The Bryan Times Sep 26, 2003 Gym coach Mark Johnson then confronted McLaughlin, who initially aimed the gun at Johnson, but then when Coach Johnson raised his hand and shouted at McLaughlin to 'stop', McLaughlin emptied the bullets from the gun and dropped it. Johnson secured the gun and took McLaughlin to the school office.Teen charged with murder in school shooting https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bJw_AAAAIBAJ&pg=7018,3601883&dq=jason-mclaughlin+mark+johnson&hl=en 12 July 2013 The Mount Airy News Sep 27, 2003 Bartell was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital, where he was treated for head injury and brain trauma.Boy Shot In Forehead .Teen Injured In Cold Spring School shooting still critical https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eYRFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1593,3654994&dq=jason-mclaughlin+forehead&hl=en 12 July 2013 The Southeast Missourian Sep 28, 2003 Bartell died 16 days later, on October 11, 2003.TOWN'S FINAL, TRAGIC WORD SECOND SHOOTING VICTIM DIES AFTER TRAUMATIC DAY http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FE2406E34B31C4A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 Saint Paul Pioneer Press October 11, 2003 Legal proceedings thumb|McLaughlin's photo when he was booked following the shooting. Criminal trial and sentence thumb|A .22 caliber Colt Target Model pistol similar to the one used by McLaughlinThe trial began on July 5, 2005.MCLAUGHLIN'S TRIAL UNDER WAY LAWYERS DIFFER ON CENTRAL QUESTION OF INTENT http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10B5848E47091620&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 St. Paul Pioneer Press July 6, 2005 The defense argued that McLaughlin did not plan to kill anyone and that the teen had only intended to scare Bartell.Post Tim Graphic testimony in first day of McLaughlin trial http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/07/05_postt_mclaughlinday1/ Minnesota Public Radio 12 July 2013 The prosecution argued that the deaths were premeditated, as McLaughlin had stated to police that he had planned the shooting "several days in advance".Kapoor Reena Charles C. Dike Adolescents and the Insanity Defense J Am Acad Psychiatry Law March 2008 36 1 145–147 http://www.jaapl.org/content/36/1/145.full 12 July 2013 Six mental health experts were brought in to testify in court. Three of the experts diagnosed McLaughlin with schizophrenia while the other three diagnosed him with major depression in remission and an "emerging personality disorder". McLaughlin was found guilty of first and second-degree murder.Teen convicted of murder in Rocori High School shootings http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/07/18_postt_rocoriverdict/ 12 July 2013 July 18, 2005 Minnesota Public Radio In August 2005, he was sentenced with two consecutive prison sentences. McLaughlin was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder and 12 years in prison for second-degree murder.McLaughlin gets consecutive sentences in Rocori shootings http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/08/30_postt_rocori/ mpr 12 July 2013 Prior to the sentences, McLaughlin's attorneys attempted to have him declared insane at the time of the shootings,Sane or not? Opinions vary by psychologist http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=102888 Kare 11 12 July 2013 which would have resulted with McLaughlin serving his sentence at a mental hospital rather than a correctional facility.Teen Killer Ruled Sane July 26, 2005 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-killer-ruled-sane/ CBS News 12 July 2013 The Judge ruled that McLaughlin was sane at the time of the killings based on McLaughlin's writings and videotaped confession, where he detailed his planning of the crime.JUDGE DECLARES ROCORI KILLER SANE MCLAUGHLIN'S DEFENSE REJECTED; AUG. 30 PRISON SENTENCING SET http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10BB72C18C501D68&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 St. Paul Pioneer Press July 27, 2005Juvenile Sentenced to Life for Shooting Classmates https://www.foxnews.com/story/juvenile-sentenced-to-life-for-shooting-classmates Fox News 12 July 2013 McLaughlin was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,000 to the Minnesota Crime Victims Reparations Board.Jason McLaughlin sentenced to life in Rocori killings http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=105898 12 July 2013 Kare 11 Aug 31, 2005 Jason McLaughlin was incarcerated Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater,Inmate Records: JOHN JASON MCLAUGHLIN http://www.doc.state.mn.us/publicviewer/Inmate.asp?OID=218041 Minnesota Department of Corrections 12 July 2013 and later at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Oak Park Heights.Edwards Eve April 21, 2021 Who Are Oak Park Heights' Famous Prison Inmates? Derek Chauvin Transferred To Facility https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/04/21/oak-park-heights-prison/ HITC.com August 15, 2021 April 27, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210427162810/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/04/21/oak-park-heights-prison/ dead He will not be eligible for parole until 2038, when he will be 50-years-old.Parole board denies release for Rocori High School shooter MPR News https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/28/parole-board-denies-release-for-rocori-high-school-shooter 2026-09-06 www.mprnews.org Wrongful death lawsuit In September 2006, the families of victims Aaron Rollins and Seth Bartell filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the McLaughlins, the Rocori school district, and former Rocori High School Principal Doug Standke.Families of Rocori victims are suing http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MN&p_theme=mn&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=114942C59677D8A8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM 12 July 2013 Star-Tribune October 4, 2006 The families alleged that the school district had prior knowledge of the shootings about a week before their occurrence and that they could have prevented its occurrence.Attorney for Rocori school district calls allegations 'baseless' October 4, 2006 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/10/04/rocorilawsuit MPR 12 July 2013 The lawsuit was initially dismissed,Minn. Judge: Insurer Not Required to Cover Shooter January 13, 2008 http://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-features/2008/01/13/155395.htm Insurance Journal 12 July 2013Judge Throws Out Rocori Wrongful Death Lawsuit https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jLA8AAAAIBAJ&pg=3344,5288469&dq=jason-mclaughlin+wrongful+death+lawsuit&hl=en 12 July 2013 Cold Springs Record May 15, 2007 but later settled out of court for $200,000.LAWSUIT SETTLED IN SCHOOL SHOOTING PARENTS OF TWO VICTIMS WOULD SPLIT $200,000 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PD&s_site=twincities&p_multi=SP&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11B0FAF25DD71190&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM St. Paul Pioneer Press 12 July 2013 Aftermath Four children of Minnesota legislator Lisa Demuth were on campus the day of the shooting. The event became part of the discussion of gun control measures and Demuth's campaign for Minnesota governor in 2026.Chapman Reg May 17, 2025 Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth's daughter criticizes her handling of gun control bill https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-house-speaker-lisa-demuth-daughter-gun-reform/ May 17, 2025 CBS MinnesotaOrenstein Walker April 8, 2026 How a 2003 school shooting is influencing the Minnesota House speaker’s response to Annunciation https://www.startribune.com/how-a-2003-school-shooting-is-influencing-the-minnesota-house-speakers-response-to-annunciation/601658449 April 8, 2026 Star Tribune See also List of school shootings in the United States List of school shootings in the United States by death toll 2005 Red Lake shootings Annunciation Catholic Church shooting References External links Cold Spring School Shooting - Minnesota Public Radio News & Features page on the shooting Two Years After Rocori Shootings, Trial Begins - news item on the murder trial Eric Decker on experiencing school shooting https://web.archive.org/web/20130114221820/http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/2012/10/eric_decker_school_shooting_broncos_aurora.php January 14, 2013 - NFL Denver Broncos' Eric Decker on living through Rocori High School Shooting MN Offender Locator - Inmate Information - Department of Corrections -Dead link Category:2003 murders in the United States Category:High school killings in the United States Category:School shootings committed by pupils Category:Murder in Minnesota Category:Stearns County, Minnesota Category:2003 in Minnesota Category:Deaths by firearm in Minnesota Category:Crimes in Minnesota Category:Attacks on schools in 2003 Category:September 2003 crimes in the United States Category:High school shootings in the United States Category:School shootings motivated by bullying Category:School shootings in Minnesota