Classmates in Puyallup grieve loss of Charlie Powell
Feb 6, 2012, 10:48 AM | Updated: 11:56 am
Special counselors are at Carson Elementary School in Puyallup on Monday where Charlie Powell was a first grader to help students and staff deal with this double murder-suicide.
A stick-figure drawing attached to the Carson Elementary sign just about says it all. “I feel bad for Charlie,” signed David. The stick figure is crying large tears.
Stacy Skoog walked with her young daughters, one a classmate of Charlie’s, to drop flowers and a stuffed animal.
“I just told them it’s even hard for adults to understand. There’s no way to explain it, but just know they’re in a better place right now,” said Skoog.
She said all she could do Sunday night was hug her daughters extra tight.
Message from Superintendent Tony Apostle:
This is a difficult morning for us all in the Puyallup School District as we reflect on the tragic event that occurred yesterday afternoon in our Carson Elementary attendance area.
We are deeply saddened by this tragic event and the loss of life to Carson Elementary first grader Charlie Powell, as well as his younger brother, Braden.
Whenever hateful and violent domestic rage spills out of the home and into the school and community, we are deeply affected. We extend our sympathy to the grandparents and family members, friends, and classmates of these two innocent children.
We want all of you to know we are providing support to our school community today and in the days to come.
A crisis team made up of our skilled district counseling team is onsite today to help both students and staff. We also have additional staff at the school as needed.
Early this morning we also dispatched additional campus security officers to the school to provide assistance with traffic control.
We understand that you all are saddened as we are and may want to express your condolences. We respectfully request, especially during school hours, that you allow school to function as normal as possible and prevent traffic congestion.
Any information we receive on memorial observances will be communicated to you as soon as we receive it.
As we always do in Puyallup, we know you will all come together and support one another in this time of great sadness and loss.
