The "Disturbing Times" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Watching the police cars at the entrance to the high school where I had plans to make a visit.  All started with a trip to the Manheim Township  District Office (DO) which is about a mile from the main high school, middle school and intermediate school campus.  As I started up the walk to the DO, a policeman was trying the doors to the building.  Called to him that he had to ring the buzzer to his left.  He looked puzzled and I told him they just started that procedure a few weeks ago.  No one enters unless they identify themselves into the speaker next to the buzzer.  We both got clearance and entered.  As I walked toward the secretary's desk, she was on the phone telling a parent that the high school was in lock-down.  So that's why the police officer is standing next to me!  Wasn't long before I got the lowdown on what had happened.  Seems a young male had written on the wall of a men's restroom and left a bullet next to the message.  Another student saw the note and notified the high school office.  Immediately a lock-down was announced and the local police were called.  Didn't take long to control the situation, since the same thing had happened two years ago.  At that time all students had to remain in the class they happened to be in at the time.  They missed lunch and were sent home later in the day after each one had been checked with a metal detector.  Today the lockdown went into effect immediately and the lessons they had learned two years ago were apparent.  Being that there are security cameras EVERYWHERE in the building, I assume finding the culprit was an easier task this time.  Someone confessed and the students were sent home just before lunch.  I had plans to stop at the high school to check on the amount of paper I needed for a printing request I had from the office, so I headed in that direction after taking care of my business in the DO.  As I approached one of the entrances I saw the many patrol cars and officers standing guard at the entrance.  Thought it best to bypass my trip for today and hope for the best tomorrow.  Watched the mid-day news to see what might be happening and heard at that time about the dismissal and the capture of the suspect.  Not sure what the motive may be for the actions of the suspect, but it is a frightful and sorry time when things like this have to happen.  I think back 20 years when I was still teaching and the worst thing that might happen was someone smoking in that same restroom.  Very disturbing times we live in now.  I fear for my grandchildren and what they may have to encounter in the future.  Will it ever get better?  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.