I attended this school at the this time....I was in 8th grade and even rode the same bus as the shooter. He should have never been able to gain acess to the gun!!!

- Windie (05/13/2009)

This was so sad, I knew Keith Johnson and was just a few years older than him, we lived on the same street and him, myself and a bunch of other kids from the neighborhood used to play football together. I moved away before this happened. When I knew him I would have never thought he would have done something like this. It's just so sad he chose the wrong path and took someones life and tore the victims family apart.

- Meegan B. (06/11/2009)

The date was actually September 29,1995. I was in the 7th grade and this shooting occurred less than 15 ft. away from me. I will never forget that date. It happened during class change in front of the library with the corridors packed. Joey was in the library having re-takes done for the yearbook...his final photograph showed him smiling and didn't seem to have a care in the world. He was gunned down less than 5 minutes later, he never knew it was coming. He was a good kid and I considered him a friend. We played pee-wee football together and he was shot while wearing his jersey. The following day before the games began we held a service retiring his number 50. The jersey was placed in a frame still riddled with the bullet holes and bloodstains. It is a tragedy that I will live with for the rest of my life and is still as vivid in my mind as the day it happened.

- Brandon (06/28/2009)

I also remember that day. It is one I will never forget. I was in 7th grade and didn't realize anything had happened until a girl came into our class frantic and saying someone had just been shot. I know my sister will remember that day forever, she was standing next to her friend Joey when he was shot.

- Carrie (08/12/2009)

I remember that day that changed all of our lives. I remember being pushed into the nearest clasroom by teachers just after the shooting occurred. I was feet from it and had to go to court to testify against Keith because I was a witness to a prior incident of violence by him; a fight on the school bus earlie that year. We couldn't believe this was happening at our school, somewhere children should be safe and nowadays parents are afraid to send their children to public schools because it's no huge shock when a shooting occurs at a school, when those words should never be used in the same sentence.

- Nicole (09/27/2009)

I was not there but I go to that school right now and Mr.Adgate told us all about it this year. he said it was very disapointing and sad for the rest of the school year.i would not be able to live like that knowing someone died before me.you people are very strong hearted and must be very upset.my effection from tavares middel school.

- samantha montrone (10/29/2009)

I was not there but I go to that school right now and Mr.Adgate told us all about it this year. he said it was very disapointing and sad for the rest of the school year.i would not be able to live like that knowing someone died before me.you people are very strong hearted and must be very upset.my effection from tavares middel school.

- samantha montrone (10/29/2009)

That's so terrible, and I hate that someone that age was able to get a hold of a gun and do that. At such a young age too. I went to Tavares Middle School and i'm now in High School and I never knew the boy that this happened to buy my affection goes to him, and anybody that knows him.

- Jordann Tabb (11/18/2009)

Wow. That's crazy I never knew about that. Im in the 8th grade and I have been there since 6th. Well my heart goes out to the family for there lost. Take care.

- Leanna Bryant (12/11/2009)

Okay, so I'm a little confused. On here, everyone is making Keith out to be this awful person who shot Joey for no reason. But, from what I have read, Joey was picking on him for quite some time before it escalated to this sad ending.
If anyone could give me some accurate insight, please? I would appreciate it, I am just curious as to how all of these awful things are happening.

- Concerned Parent (12/16/2009)

To concerned parent: you are right, they had been having issues with each other for quite some time. I was there when this happened, I was in the eigth grade and had just been in class with Keith, I followed him out the door and happened to turn to the left towards my science class just before he started shooting. I was angry about all the news reports that followed because they made Joey Summerall sound like a perfect angel and made Keith out to be a monster, they were both just regular teen boys and the bullying got out of hand and bad decisions were made.

- Jenn (12/28/2009)

wow i go to tavares and in in eigth grade thats crazy and sad

- daniel pedersen (01/19/2010)

wow i go 2 tavares middle now.... and tht is sooo crazyy im in seventh grade and i had heard about it b4, did all this happen in front of th library??? ts crazy 2 thin tht something like tht could happen... its a terrible story..:(

- lexi (02/05/2010)

Yeah. I'm pretty sure it was infront of the library. I go there as a 7th grader now. I always new about this but like its so crazy that this happend at Tavares Middle School. Is keith in jail still?

- Patrick (02/13/2010)

I am working on a documentary which chronicles, among other things this event. It is an absolute documentary so we would like to hear your opinions and experiences. If you are interested in participating or if you have anything you would like to share, please contact me at jacobrevers@gmail.com

- Jacob Revers (03/25/2010)

Hey, I go to Tavares Middle now as a 7th grader. It's hard for me and my family knowing that 1 of our family members got shot there... yes Joey Summerall is my cousin. I hear a lot of good things about my cousin but it sad that a mean monster like Keith had to take his life. It's still hard for me and his sister to stand in front of the library because we always think what if that was us that Keith was pointing the gun at.

- Joey Williams (04/02/2010)

I don't know the victums or anythinq, buut I qo there now and I'm in 7th qrade . And everytime I go to the Library I look down and there are blood stains from where he qot shot. He was my friends cuzin. ):

- Mia Reus (06/06/2010)

I never really knew Joey but I did know Keith he was my neighbors cousin.. I was in 6th grade when this all happened. I will never forget that day as I'm sure none of us will. I was in english class just before the bell rang the shots were fired. It sounded like fire crackers going off but our teachers new better. We were locked in our classrooms for what seemed like an eternity not knowing anything. The first thought was my brother, I was so worried for him. Then the announcement came on the loud speaker saying what tragedy had just occurred! I was afraid to go to school after that but after a while the news reporters stopped coming and we went on with our lives, but we will never forget the one who lost his life that day. My thoughts and prayers are still with this family and will be forever. We ALL made a memorial of the "Tiles" that remain in the breeze way. That was for Joey and that was for him losing his life to violence:(

- Crystal (06/08/2010)

I am now leaving Tavares. I have seen the blood stains in front of the library. now it comes to me that they were blood stains. I Didnt know these people but how could someone do that? Sad):

- Courtney Bannick (07/31/2010)

How could some one do this. Nothing should ever get to the point were you would SHOOT SOMEONE ? your in middle school there will be drama. and there will be fights but you dont need to use a freaken gun? RIP): you will be missed!

Leaving TMS safe wish he did to.

- Courtney & friends (07/31/2010)

Hi, wow, it is so strange to see the different ways of seeing this situation. my brother was keiths best friend, pretty much grew up with keith. to set things straight, joey was not so perfect. since elem. school he had been harassing and bullying everyone inculding keith. he was a major discipline problem. anyway, im not sticking up for keith what he did was wrong. just wanted to get it out, that joey was not so perfect, in fact joey made several threats towards keith.

- katrina (08/04/2010)

Hi Mia (:

- Patrick (08/19/2010)

parent my older son went to tavares middle when the shooting happen.Iremember being at home watching t.v. then it came on t.v. i froze i didnt know what to do all i could think of was my son.i took off to the school and it was very bad seeing all the kids running to their parents scared the way they were. now my younger son goes to tavares middle and I worry about him every day. thank you my heart goes out to joey's family

- Barbara Reinke (09/07/2010)

my heart doesnt go out to joey as much as it should, this could have all been avoided if someone had taken action the first two times Joey Beat the crap out of keith, I do feel it could have been handled diffrently and probably would have if the administrators would have done something when keith went to them the first couple times, they had been having problems for a LONG time before this, it wasnt just a random act and keith wasnt a monster, he was just a teenager who had been pushed and bullied to much. This is why people need to step up against bullying, if your so concerned about the children you have tell them, explain to them, and give them examples of what could happen, its a terrible thing thats happened here, but everyone needs to know both ends of the story, RIP joey and be safe keith

- anonymous (09/24/2010)

I Go 2 TMS now, It really sucks having to walk by the blood stains everyday. By the art room they have the picninc benches, and a big tree with a memorial to Joey under it.

- Ronnie (11/17/2010)

OMG! I have seen that tree,is that really true? And that is so sad!!! I never knew that now my school is scary i have to see if i can find the stains! Anyway gtg sorry for your lose! ={

- unknown (01/07/2011)

That's scary i'm going to that school next year i'm not sure i want to go anymore! sorry for your lose!!!:(

- unknown (01/07/2011)

Wow thats crazy i knew about this but i really never paid any attention but now that i think about it and ive sat on those benches and i've stood by that tree i did'nt know about it until now because i read all these comments. I am sssooo sorry that this happened!!! i am recently going to this school and im in 7th grade i have never seen these blood stains but i will shurely look next week but anyways i hope the victom realizes that its not worth taking a life! And i hope these family members of the child who got killed are ok and healed!!!

- unknown (01/07/2011)

I was in 7th grade at the time and rode the bus with Keith. I remember running into Joey the morning of the shooting (my first encounter with him) and remember wanting to fight him on the spot. Keith was a bully himself as I remember and what people who really know anything about this case know that Keith was in a gang and was trying to gain access to the "nation." Either way kids on the bus knew but didn't want to think it was possible of the events that would occur after we got off the bus that morning. It was a tragic year, I believe we lost 2 other students and an employee to death that school-year. It was just crazy because we lived in little tavares. Back then it was a lot of race issues, fights, riots even. Our bus driver's son got expelled for bring a "mexican chain choker" to fight with at school that same year. Two lives cut short by this incident, one lost, one never to live!

- Witness (01/19/2011)

I ALSO WENT TO THIS SCHOOL WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT. mY CLASSROOM WAS LOCKED AND EVERYONE WAS SCREAMING AND YELLING, I FINALLY MADE IT INTO A CLASSROOM TO WHERE I FELT SAFE. I WAS THE FIRST STUDENT OFF OF CAMPUS WHEN THIS HAPPENED MY MOM WORKED FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD. I AM NOT SCARED OF GUNS BUT THE IDIOTS THAT OWN THEM.

- MEGAN BOLDREY (02/15/2011)

I go to tavares middle school now. I dont know the shooter or the victim but i want to put in my verdict about the scenery now at tavares middle....

Im in 6th grade my name is Lully I just want to let everyone know that fights occur everday at least twice a day, gossip spreads like wild fires, people get bullied because of their appearence who they are dating, and things that they have or havent done. Im sad to say this despairing insident involving the 2 young men taught no one a lesson at tms. blood stains are everywhere you cant turn a corner without seeing some on the ground or walls. People can be stupid at times I mean we all make mistakes but its always the same people making THE SAME mistakes, just to protect their reputations. I have less and less respect for these people every time someone does something morronic like that.

Teachers try to stop these things by giving lectures and speaches but what they dont understand is that we wont change. Not even if it means expulsion or any form of consequences. A YOUNG MAN LOST HIS LIFE FOR PEOPLE TO NOTICE THE DANGERS OF OVERREACTING AND QUICK THINKING AND THEY STILL ARNT GIVING THIS SUBJECT THE LEAST BIT OF THOUGHT.!!!!
I guess you could call me the popular girl, the one everyone knows, the subject of most conversations good or bad, I could loose that image tomorow and it wouldnt mean a hill of beans so why does it matter so much to everyone else? I know this message is long and most will overlook it but for those few of you that have taken the time to read it, thank you, and try to make a diffrence in this harsh world STAND UP FOR WHATS RIGHT, and help those who may not. :)

- Lully D. (03/16/2011)

Well My sister Michelle .K. used to be friends with Joey when she was in school like they where best friends type of thing and i cant imagine what she went through and now EVERYTIME i go to the library and look down at the carpet I break down into tears. same with going to the park benches area and seeing the memorial sign. Someone of his aga(14) should not die no matter what! he deserved to live a full life. get married have kids go out and stuff. but NO! Keith had to go and KILL him just because he was a bully! Keith is in jail for life without a chance of parole. He ruined his WHOLE life be cause he couldnt just stand up to joey and ask why are u bullying me? Anyways Thanks For reading!!!

- *Kennedy* (03/18/2011)

I remember this day and i was in the courtyard and herd a gun shot he was my best budd and I cried for days wen I.saw u down on the ground dead with students all around I miss u budd.

- cici (10/22/2011)

I now people can do some stupid stuff, but not like this. I'm shoked that this would occur ever. How does a student require a gun anyway?

- Jaylin Milis (01/24/2012)

I was not there at the time, but I am a 6th grader there now :-D
I've heard of this story millions of times&wanted to be able to learn more about it. This is very sad, and everytime I enter the Library, it feels very sad to know that the SHOOTING happened THERE. Tavares Middle sucks anyway, it's a terrible school. I've only been there for a few months, but it sucks. Just saying. There are at LEAST 2 fights everyday, the gossip travels around terrible. The dances at the school are very, very dirty. (The Dancing).
The staff nd teachers there are terrible. They are not very fair nd are flat out DUMB. No offence. I hate this school, I really wanna transfer, but can't.
This story, of the shooting, is sad, but not really a suprise. Something like that would happen everyday if it could.
Sorry to add my personal stuff, but yeah. The school SUCKS!
Everyone says, "Oh, what a nice school!" But wait until you are there for a few days, it's suckish.
Um, Thanks :-D

- Mary (02/01/2012)

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