Parents of Emily Keyes release statement

Keyes family statement regarding CBI report on the Platte Canyon High School shooting:

The parents of Emily Keyes, the lone victim fatality in the Platte-Canyon High School siege, have released a statement about the CBI’s report on how the police handled the situation. Normally I don’t like to post whole articles but this is something that needs to be read and if the Rocky Mountain News page expires I’d think it should be out in the public longer.

For some it may be difficult to accept. The right actions at the right time by the right people may not have the right outcome. When what we hoped for didn’t happen, some may want to find fault. But there is no fault to be found in the command decisions made given the information and behavior presented. There is no fault to be found in the courage and speed of their response.

From our family, there is only respect. Our review of the CBI report confirms this belief.

Tonight our family met with Sheriff Fred Wegner, agents of the CBI and other officials to review the summary report, being released tomorrow, March 27th, regarding the events of September 27th.

Our family read the summary and viewed other materials being released.

A tough read: but still reaffirming.

Law enforcement and school administration did all of the right things.

Law enforcement response, not just to the school but to the classroom was around 3 minutes from the first 911 call.

The kids at the school were on top of things also. Several were on their way to the office to report a stranger in their midst, before the first shot was fired.

There were seven heroes in that room. And a coward with a gun. The Awesome Six are still with us. Please respect their grace, beauty and privacy as these young women continue with their lives. It is OK to let some details of that day fade.

In the months since Emily was killed, some extraordinary good has occurred. And that is Emily’s legacy. Random and Deliberate Acts of Kindness continue to occur. The community of Bailey is a little more tight knit. And sometimes it feels like our town lines extend shore to shore.

When we remember September 27th, it’s the text message Emily sent: “I love u guys.” It is our hope that’s the message you remember as well.

We ask the Press that, if possible, during the upcoming coverage of this report you don’t highlight the actions of a deranged gunman. His name doesn’t need to be mentioned; it is there enough in the report.

The best people did the best of things. The outcome could have been far more grave. We as a family know this and appreciate this.

Real life doesn’t always have a happy ending.

John-Michael, Ellen and Casey Keyes

The CBI report should be out later today.