Students at Piketon High School are still in shock over the death of 16-year-old Christopher Rhoden Jr., who was one of eight people massacred last week.
"It's going to be weird not hearing him laugh,” lamented classmate Brittany Pettit. "I still don't want to believe it, I can't get it through my head that one of my best friends was murdered.”
Pettit and Chris Rhoden Jr. had a special bond together and had been friends since first grade. Pettit says they camped together, rode 4-wheelers and this year, started their freshman year of high school.
She says Rhoden made her laugh and “always had something out there to say and it would always crack everyone up.”
He also loved his family dearly.
"He adored his family. He loved his family,” she recalls. “He talked about his family every day. They were awesome people.”
The Scioto Valley School District superintendent called Chris Rhoden a diligent worker. In a statement from Superintendent Dr. Todd Burkitt, he says “Chris Rhoden was a student of ours who as very loyal to his family. We are very saddened about the loss of Chris and his family.”
The Scioto Valley School District posted on its website counselors and clergy would be available for students and staff on Monday, April 25. It also says state testing scheduled for Monday has been postponed.
The district also says it has been in contact with local law enforcement, who has assured the district that no direct threat has or ever had been made to the district and law enforcement has asked them to proceed with school as usual.
Complete coverage: