Sergio Salas Monett High School teen shoots self dead. Body of Missouri teen is found near school fields after not turning up to class.
A Missouri teen has shot himself dead near high school property in an apparent suicide, according to reports.
Sergio Salas, a 14 year old student at Monett High School was found deceased Monday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a field north of the school, the Joplin Globe reported.
‘No foul play is suspected,’ Monett Police Chief George Daoud told the Monett Times. ‘No students were in danger at any time.’
Notice of the boy’s suicide came after police had set up a search effort for the eighth-grade student around noon after failing to show up to class on Monday. It wasn’t until around 5 p.m. that the body of the missing teen was located on the high school field, where the football team and band practice.
Cause of teen’s suicide?
‘It’s a tough day,’ Monett School District Superintendent Russ Moreland told via KY3. ‘There’s not an easy way, obviously, to deal with this.’
‘The district appreciates the support from our community as well as the neighboring communities,’ Moreland reiterated. ‘We’ve received an outpouring of thoughts and prayers and people offering to help in any way they can.’
The teen was remembered as an active member of his church and enjoyed playing in the school band, according to his obituary.
‘He was an aspiring musician, avidly listening to Hip-Hop music,’ his obituary stated. ‘He enjoyed playing video games, swimming and going to amusement parks. Sergio mostly loved spending time with his family and friends.’
Authorities have yet to say what led to Salas taking his own life, whether he had been undergoing depression and trauma at home or school. Not immediately understood was whether school officials were aware of Salas’ state of mind and if counseling was availed?
Police are still waiting for toxicology results.
