Its been a week since the shootings at Virginia Tech that shocked the nation. However, nine years ago Erie was in shock after the shooting of a beloved Parker Middle School teacher. On April 24, 1998, 14-year old Andrew Wurst, entered an eighth-grade graduation dance at Nicks Place in Edinboro with a .25-caliber pistol and shot 48-year old John Gillette. Then he fired into the crowd injuring another teacher and two classmates before he ran out. The owner of the banquet hall went after him, disarmed him, and held him for police.
Wurst was tried as an adult and is currently serving a 30 to 60 year sentence for third-degree murder.
