August 28, 2012|By Ian Duncan, The Baltimore Sun
Before the start of Tuesday's school day, traffic at the school was backed up at Ebenezer Road to Honeygo Boulevard as parents opted to drive their children to school. There were also several students walking to school with their parents along Ebenezer Road. Parents dropped off their children, telling them to "have a safe day." Many people were visibly upset.
A brief vigil was held at 7:15 a.m. at the school's flag pole where several students prayed for their classmate to get through the day and prayed that "everyone could love each other." Students wore white T-shirts that read "Pray for Daniel" on the front and "Team Wasmer" on the back. Team Wasmer referred to school counselor Jesse Wasmer who tackled the gunman on Monday.
There was a strong police presence at the school Tuesday, as officers circled the grounds and were stationed at major intersections.
Said junior Rowan Abdulrahman, "I feel really safe with all these police around and I know it will be all right today."
Rafael Ryczek, a sophomore, also said he felt safe. "This was just one incident and we will get over it."
However, senior Brittany Melchior, had a different outlook, "Everyone's saying we're lucky, but I don't feel lucky, I just feel grateful that I wasn't hurt and my friends weren't hurt. ... I really wouldn't mind if they put metal detectors in all the schools."
About Borowy, Melchior said, "He's a really sweet kid. There was never a day when he wasn't smiling and saying hi to everybody."
As they left school Tuesday, students said the mood during the day had been somber and the school quiet, a sharp contrast to Monday morning. Coming back to school immediately after the shooting had helped bring students together, some said.
Kim Huesman, a graduate of Perry Hall High School, said she was a neighbor of Borowy's and had known him since he was an infant.
"He's just the sweetest boy," said Huesman."The kids are really joining together and [they] are going to be there for each other."
Melchior's friend, senior Rachel Gruninger, addressed the topic of bullying: "Everyone is picked on at some point in their lives. It's all about how you react. This kid [suspect Gladden] made the wrong decision. Now he'll have to suffer the consequences."
Both Melchior and Gruninger mentioned that they had received comforting phone calls all day Monday and noted that people were being very kind.
Baltimore Sun reporters Scott Dance, Mary Gail Hare, Liz Bowie and Jessica Anderson contributed to this report.
iduncan@baltsun.com
Items seized from home
Police seized a range of items from the home of shooting suspect Robert Wayne Gladden; his stepfather, Andrew Piper, was charged with weapons violations. Seized items include:
— Baltimore county report card and school paperwork, Perry Hall High School letter from file cabinet
— Loaded firearm magazine from top of gun cabinet in master bedroom, loaded handgun magazine from gun in master bedroom
— Zhongzhou 20 gauge shotgun, Boito 12 gauge shotgun, Sears Roebuck and Co. Model 100, 30-30 caliber rifle, Mauser Model 1891 rifle, Marlin Model 36, 30-30 caliber rifle
— Ruger P95, 9 mm handgun, homemade black powder pistol, 1851 Model Navy revolver
Source: Baltimore County court records
