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Jon Romano
Born
Jon W. Romano

(1987-10-30) October 30, 1987 (age 37)[6]
Known forTikTok, public speaking and perpetrating the Columbia High School shooting
Criminal statusReleased
MotiveSuicidal ideation, sexual abuse, depression[1]
Criminal chargeattempted murder and
reckless endangerment[2]
Penalty20 year prison sentence[3] (Released after 15 years on good behavior)[4]
Details
Date9 February 2004[5]
Location(s)Columbia High School, East Greenbush, New York
Killed0
Injured1
WeaponWinchester 12-gauge pump-action shotgun

Jon W. Romano (born October 30, 1987) is an American convicted school shooter, TikTok influencer and mental health advocate[7] that made headlines in 2004 after bringing a loaded shotgun to Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York and injuring a teacher. Romano was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after he shot and injured a special education teacher at his high school. He was released in 2020 after serving 15 years of his 20 year sentence.[8]

Early life

[edit]

Romano was born on 30 October 1987 in East Greenbush, New York. When Romano was four years-old, his father left the family home, he also claims in his suicide note that he was beaten by his father.[9][10]

In February 2022, Romano spoke at a school safety conference in Saratoga County. During the conference, Romano claims that when he was 5 and 6, he was sexually abused multiple times which lead him down a dark path. The sexual abuse made him "more insecure, more awkward."[11]

Shooting

[edit]

Jon Romano, a student at Columbia High School, walked into school with a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun on 9 February 2004. Without hesitation, he passed by the Main Office and ascended the stairs to reach a bathroom on the second floor. He sent messages to his friends while in a bathroom stall. One message wrote "I'm in school with shotgun, get out."[12][13] Romano then washed his hands and stepped into a hallway with the shotgun. He fired two shots before Assistant Principal, John Sawchuk, tackled Romano. As Romano and Sawchuk struggled, a third shot was fired and hit the leg of Michael Bennett, a special-education teacher at the school.[14] Romano was subsequently arrested after the incident.

Suicide note

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On the day of the shooting, Romano wrote a letter to his family and friends giving an 'explanation' for his actions. In the letter, he also says he's been watching Bowling for Columbine and says "How am I different than what the media says school shooters are?", he then describes his interests and why he's not the 'typical school shooter' by saying:[15]

TV I watch: Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, Family Guy, SNL, Mad TV, Simpsons,

Law and Order, Monk, and others. oh, South Park! Man Show (Jimmy + Ad Music: Country music! Toby Keith! Movies: ok, movie I watch have some violence. Groose Pointe Blank, South Park, The Frighteners, Cruel Intentions, Animal House, Blown Away, 10 Things I Hate About You (yes a chick flick) and others, just ask my friends.

I like to laugh! Comedies are good!

[9]

Sentencing

[edit]

Romano was charged with attempted murder and reckless endangerment. Romano was facing up to 50-years in prison for both charges but pleaded guilty in exchange for a 20-year sentence.[2]

Letters in prison

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During his prison sentence, Romano wrote a series of letters that advocated against gun violence. On February 21, 2018, The Times Union wrote a column that featured comments from John Sawchuk. Romano responded with a letter thanking the assistant principal for apprehending him before he hurt himself or others.

“John Sawchuk is a hero who I owe my life to. I know whenever another horrible shooting happens, he and all of my victims are hurt all over again from what I did to them. I want to take away their pain but knowing that I cannot, I want to prevent others from experiencing this pain.”[16]

Romano wrote the letter shortly after the Parkland High School shooting. Romano called the survivors “courageous and inspiring for demanding action from politicians.”[17]

Release

[edit]

Romano was released in December 2020 after serving 15 years of his 20 year sentence. Two years after his release, Romano made a TikTok page with the name ‘Jon Seeking Peace’. Romano's TikTok bio reads: “After being a part of the problem, it’s time to be a part of the solution". Romano's account has sparked controversy after his account began attracting attention in mid to late 2023.[18][19]

A TikToker with 2.8 million followers known as "YourFavoriteGuy" has claimed that Romano lies about what happened at Columbia High School, however, Romano insists that he never intended to hurt anybody other than himself. On 9 October 2023, Romano lost access to his TikTok account after his page got mass reported. His account was later reinstated and has continued growing.[20]

Sword attack

[edit]

On 29 August 2022, Romano was attacked with a sword while working at a homeless shelter in Albany, New York. A prosecutor informed the judge that Romano is still on a breathing tube. Doctors successfully fixed his arms and lower leg, but they're worried about how his leg is doing. The police report also mentions that he got struck in the head.[21] 42-year-old Randell D. Mason was arrested after the attack and charged with attempted second-degree murder. In April 2023, Mason was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to the attack.[22]

Romano posted a series of TikTok videos after the attack with his side of the story. In one video posted on his page, he claims the attack came after he confronted Mason for using derogatory language towards him. After confronting him, Mason “become animated” and was talking about "white devils". Romano complained to his boss who subsequently tried to kick Mason out of the homeless shelter. After that, Romano says in the video:

“The guy comes running right at me screaming ‘fucking white devil.’ And you know, I run, ha. I run for my life literally,”

[23]

As of August 2023, Romano has recovered his ability to walk but often struggles to use his left hand. Romano says he may need additional surgeries in order to recover fully. Since the attack, he hasn't been able to do speeches.[24]

References

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  1. ^ Churchill, Chris (5 October 2023). "Churchill: Two decades after school shooting, Jon Romano comes home and tries to explain". Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b Yang, Maya (12 October 2023). "A school shooter went viral on TikTok. Should he be on the platform at all?". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  3. ^ Liquori, Donna (19 December 2004). "Student Agrees to 20-Year Term After Nonfatal Shooting Spree in High School". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  4. ^ WRGB Staff (16 December 2020). "Jon Romano, convicted in 2004 East Greenbush school shooting, released from prison". cbs6albany. cbs6albany. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  5. ^ Santora, Marc (10 February 2004). "Student Opens Fire at a High School Near Albany, Hitting a Teacher". The New York Times. The New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Jon Romano". School Shooters .info. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  7. ^ Romano, Jon. "Jon Romano Public Speaker - How to End School Shootings". linkedin. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  8. ^ Finley, Louis (15 December 2020). "Gunman in 2004 Columbia HS shooting released from prison". news10. NEWS 10. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b Romano, Jon (9 February 2004). "Jon Romano (Note he wrote and left at home on the morning of Feb. 9, 2004)" (PDF): 4. Retrieved 23 November 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ Tossif, Mohammed (3 October 2023). "Jon Romano Wikipedia, Sword Full Video, School Shooter Wiki, Shooting Victims". Hnbgu.net. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  11. ^ Conlin, SPENCER (22 February 2022). "Gunman convicted of Columbia school shooting shares story at Saratoga County conference". spectrumlocalnews. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  12. ^ Patrick, William. "An Incident of School Violence in East Greenbush, New York". The Official Website of William B. Patrick.
  13. ^ Liquori, Donna (19 December 2004). "Student Agrees to 20-Year Term After Nonfatal Shooting Spree in High School". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  14. ^ Swenson, Kyle (5 March 2018). "In 2004, he walked into school with a shotgun. Today – from prison – he weighs in on Parkland". The Spokesman-review. The Spokesman-review. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. ^ CHALLIS, Mallory (23 October 2023). "This school shooter is going viral for telling his story, but does it help or hurt?". Baptist News Global. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  16. ^ Goodwin, Mike; Crowe II, Kenneth C. (16 December 2020). "East Greenbush school shooter Jon Romano released from prison". Times Union. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  17. ^ Hincks, Joseph (4 March 2018). "This Man Is in Prison for Opening Fire in a High School. He Says the Parkland Shooting Survivors Are 'Courageous and Inspiring'". Time Magazine. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  18. ^ Rissman, Kelly (5 October 2023). "Convicted school shooter sparks backlash after rising to TikTok fame". Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  19. ^ Kircher, Madison; Hampton, Rachel (25 October 2023). "A Former School Shooter is a TikTok Star. Should He Even Be Allowed Online?". ICYMI. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  20. ^ Churchill, Chris (10 October 2023). "Churchill: Jon Romano should be heard, not canceled". The Times Union. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  21. ^ Lyons, Brendan J.; Soloman, Joshua (5 October 2023). "Jon Romano, convicted in '04 shooting, was victim in sword attack". Times Union. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  22. ^ Rizzo, Sara (7 April 2023). "Albany man sentenced to 25 years in sword attack case". News 10. News 10. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  23. ^ Spocchia, Gino (28 September 2022). "New York school shooter released from jail faces sword attack". Independent.co.uk. Independent.co.uk. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  24. ^ Churchill, Chris (21 August 2023). "Churchill: Jon Romano forgives and regrets". Times Union. Times Union. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
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