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A RESOLUTION remembering and honoring the survivors and victims of the 1993 1
East Carter High School shootings. 2
WHEREAS, on January 18, 1993, Gary Scott Pennington, a bright but troubled 3
student, walked into his 7th period English class with a .38-caliber revolver that he had 4
smuggled to school in his backpack; and 5
WHEREAS, Gary Pennington fired one shot at his teacher Deanna McDavid, 6
narrowly missing her, and fired again, killing her instantly. Upon hearing the shots, the 7
head custodian Marvin Hicks and social studies teacher Jack Calhoun rushed to Mrs. 8
McDavid's classroom to investigate; and 9
WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks was shot once in the abdomen and would later die at the 10
scene. Mr. Pennington would then aim his weapon at Mr. Calhoun, but did not pull the 11
trigger; and 12
WHEREAS, Mr. Pennington would then hold his classmates hostage for 13
approximately 15 minutes, counting his ammunition and telling them he had one bullet 14
for each of them, before allowing them to leave the room in pairs; and 15
WHEREAS, he finally surrendered to Grayson Police Officers Keith Hill and Larry 16
Green, who responded to emergency calls and had arrived in the hallway outside the 17
classroom; and 18
WHEREAS, Gary Pennington was certified to stand trial as an adult and would 19
ultimately be convicted of two counts of murder and 22 counts of kidnapping, for which 20
he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. He is 21
serving his sentence in the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville; and 22
WHEREAS, Mrs. McDavid was remembered as a caring but tough teacher who did 23
anything for her students. As her colleagues would say, "she would never let anyone 24
shortchange her kids" and "after her family, her students were the most important people 25
in her life." She would ensure her students would get a date for a dance or money for a 26
tux if needed. When Mr. Pennington broke his glasses in a fight, she immediately sent 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1463
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them to Doc Webb, the local optometrist, and had the glasses back before Mr. Pennington 1
boarded the bus home; and 2
WHEREAS, Mr. Hicks was known for his easygoing nature, good humor, and 3
"making East Carter High School a better place." He was always the first to arrive at 4
school, filling the pop machines and arranging the cafeteria chairs. He always had an 5
extra quarter to lend kids for a soda. He was "the kind of guy who'd stop and help you if 6
you were broke down on the interstate" and "never minded staying late to finish a job"; 7
and 8
WHEREAS, the members of this august body join Senator Robin Webb in 9
mourning the loss of those who lost their lives in this heartbreaking tragedy, honoring the 10
courage of those who escaped or sought help, and extending comfort and consolation to 11
all those whose lives continue to be affected by the events of that terrible day; 12
NOW, THEREFORE, 13
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 14
Kentucky: 15
Section 1. The Senate hereby solemnly recognizes January 18, 1993, as a day of 16
mourning for those who tragically lost their lives in the East Carter High School 17
shootings and honors the courage and bravery of the survivors. 18
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 19
Resolution to Senator Robin Webb. 20