Tuesday, following the first day of classes at Greenwich High School, 15-year-old sophomore Bart Palosz took his own life.
Investigators say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, using a family-owned gun that is regularly stored in a gun locker in the home.
In a press conference Wednesday, First selectman Peter Tesei said, “No words can express the pain the family and the community feels, but we stand here in support of the family.”
Nick Mendava, a tutor from Greenwich High School, said “I was just shocked I couldn’t have seen it coming. I knew him for a semester and I just tutored him. He seemed willing enough to learn, I don’t know it’s just pretty shocking.”
In the months leading up to his death, Palosz several suicidal thoughts and posts on his social media page.
Mourners on twitter say the teen was bullied, posting:
mackenzie @mfreder27 bullying needs to stop, honestly, i don’t understand why people are so mean!!!! rip bart, you are in a better place now and will be missed!
saileykalgar @kaysalgar people are horrible. rip bart palosz. too many taken too young. first day of sophomore year, he had his whole life ahead of him.
A recent school health survey given to Connecticut middle school and high school students showed nearly 7 percent surveyed, had in fact attempted suicide.
Doctor Laura Saunders a Child Psychologist says, “Look for signs and symptoms so get an idea and some clues about what’s going on with your kids we’re in a world with media and social images—it’s really hard to have very close access supervision but we need to put forth that effort.”