Staunton River mourns loss of student

Staunton River High School students and workers grieved Tuesday over the loss of the student shot in an apparent accident Monday evening, according to Ryan Edwards, spokesman for Bedford County Schools.

According to Maj. Ricky Gardner, with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, a 17-year-old juvenile, of Saunders Grove Drive, in Moneta, was shot in the chest with a rifle.

Edwards confirmed that juvenile was Mitchell Simmons, a senior at Staunton River High School.

“A very rough day (at Staunton River), and to be expected, considering the circumstances,” he said.

Edwards said counselors were available to students throughout the day, and many took advantage of the opportunity.

“We made the library a makeshift counseling center, and saw a steady stream of students throughout the day there,” he said.

Gardner, in a news release from the sheriff’s office, said the shooter was the victim’s younger brother, and a 16-year-old sister was also at the house at the time of the shooting.

Gardner did not release any names, due to the ages of all involved.

Edwards said the community has had to learn how to handle tragedy, and through that has become strong.

“This community has had to deal with a lot of tragic incidents in the past three, four, five years,” he said.

“This is a very strong community,” he added, “and they’re coming together and helping the family right now in their time of need.”

Edwards said Mitchell was a “very well-liked student,” an honors student on track to graduate in May, who wanted to play first base for the school’s baseball team next season, and aspired to join the military.

“This was a student who was always positive,” he said, “and would stop at a moment’s notice to give you help.”

Edwards said students had already begun to memorialize Mitchell on Tuesday at the school.

“Students were beginning to do things today to remember him … I know that they’ll continue to do, in their own way, things that help them through the grieving process,” he said, but he didn’t know of any specific events or services planned for the near future.