UPDATE: The small community of Stewartville, Minnesota is reeling after a tragic shooting outside Stewartville High School early on December 12, 2023. A candlelight vigil was held to honor the victims and provide support for grieving students and families.
The shooting occurred around 5 a.m. as the school’s wrestling team prepared to depart for a trip to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Approximately 40 athletes and coaches were present when they heard gunfire. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that 19-year-old Logan Moyer died by apparent suicide, while another unnamed individual remains in critical condition.
Community member Landon Hay expressed his shock, stating, “Friday morning when we got the news, we were all in disbelief. It took me about a couple hours to actually process what had happened.” The vigil, attended by around 50 people, was organized to provide a space for collective mourning and healing.
The choice to hold the vigil outside of the school was intentional. Organizer CarolAnn Jackson explained, “I thought it was important for it to not be at the school, to respect that space and let it still be for the kids what it is. But I also knew we had to do something.” The event took place in a parking lot next to C&M Printing, Embroidery & Tanning, beneath a mural of the school’s mascot.
Participants stood together, despite the cold, as they shared prayers and emotional tributes. Charles Jackson, another organizer, led the gathering in praying for both families affected by the shooting. As the vigil unfolded, a poignant moment occurred when a voice began reciting The Lord’s Prayer, soon joined by the crowd.
In the aftermath of the shooting, students returned to school with ongoing support from teachers, counselors, and even therapy dogs roaming the halls. “We had an entire school staff of support behind us,” Hay noted. “They were always there for us.”
The community is left to grapple with the emotional scars of this tragic event. As investigations continue, residents are urged to come together and support one another during this incredibly challenging time.
NEXT: Watch for updates on the condition of the injured individual and any further details released by authorities. The impact of this tragedy will likely resonate throughout Stewartville for years to come.
