Up To Date

The effects of Olathe East High School's shooting

By Steve Kraske,

Danie Alexander, Elizabeth Ruiz, Reginald David

Published March 10, 2022 at 2:07 PM CST

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Families of Olathe East High School students wait at the Family Video to be reunited with their kids, after a shooting inside the school on Friday, March 4, 2022. — Families of Olathe East High School students reunited with their kids after a shooting inside the school on Friday, March 4, 2022.

The March 4 shooting at Olathe East High School ended with a school administrator, a school resource officer and a student all suffering gunshot wounds.

Not knowing the safety of their child was experienced by parents during last Friday's active shooting event at Olathe East High School.

"It's like you're drowning and you can't catch your breath because you just have no control of that time frame when you're waiting. You're waiting to hear from your kiddo," explained Cindy Holscher, parent of a freshman attending Olathe East High School and a Kansas state senator.

Sen. Holscher has advocated for reasonable gun laws in the past but says as she stood waiting for her son at the drop-off site she thought, "Why haven't I been louder about this?"

Moving forward to prevent these incidents, Kansas State Rep. Brandon Woodard said, "We also, just last year, implemented conceal carry for 18 to 20-year-olds. I think we should immediately repeal that and when it comes to concealed carry, folks that are carrying weapons, we should reinstate permit and training requirements."

Senator Cindy Holscher, Kansas State Senator
Representative Brandon Woodard, District 30
Dan Margolies, KCUR reporter

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Elizabeth Ruiz

As a producer for Up To Date, my goal is to inform our audience by curating interesting and important conversations with reliable sources and individuals directly affected by a topic or issue. I strive for our program to be a place that hosts impactful conversations, providing our audience with greater knowledge, intrigue, compassion and entertainment. Contact me at elizabeth@kcur.org or on Twitter at @er_bentley_ruiz.

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Reginald David

As an assistant producer on Up To Date, my goal is to amplify voices of people who serve as pioneers in their respective fields while shedding light on issues that affect underserved communities. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. You can reach me at reginalddavid@kcur.org.

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