2 teenagers gunned down in Kentucky school shooting identified as high school sweethearts
Two of the students gunned down during a school shooting in Kentucky on Tuesday have been identified as high school sweethearts, according to reports.
Bailey Holt, 15, was killed when an unnamed 15-year-old student opened fire with a handgun just before classes started at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, a small rural town of about 4,500 people.
Holt's boyfriend was also shot in the face during the deadly rampage and remains in the hospital in critical condition along with three of his fellow classmates, the Mirror reported.
According to the boy's Facebook page, he and Holt had been together since June 2017.
Pictured: Victim Bailey Holt (right) and her boyfriend (left), who was critically injured during Tuesday's shooting
A second student, 15-year-old Preston Cope, was also identified as a victim of Tuesday's shooting. He was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville following the incident, where he later died from his injuries.
Friends of both slain teenagers took to social media to share heartbreaking tributes in wake of their tragic deaths.
"Bailey Holt was always so happy and a great friend we will love you and can't believe you were taking away from us so soon," wrote Victoria Guzman. "But god (sic) has definitely gained a beautiful angel. Prayer to her family as they go through all this."
"Bailey Holt and Preston cope (sic) were two great people, I have never heard one negative thing come from their mouths," wrote friend Gabbi Byers. "I’m glad we made the memories we did with each other. It hurts knowing we won’t be able to share the laughs anymore…"
According to Kentucky State Police, 15 people were shot on Tuesday, including the two students who died. Apart from those who were shot, five other people were also injured in the ensuing chaos, police said. All 20 of the victims were between 14 and 18 years old.
Photos from the scene:
