Perry Hall Shooting: Grief, Unity and Justice One Year Later

The first day of the 2012-2013 school year at Perry Hall High School displayed some of the worst realities a society can face, but it also highlighted the courage and capacity for love within the Perry Hall community.

Recovery began immediately—galvanizing students, parents and teachers behind the lone victim, Daniel Borowy. Members of the staff who subdued the shooter got praise as heroes.

The perpetrator, 15-year-old Robert Gladden, eventually received a life sentence with all but 35 years suspended, for attempted first-degree murder.

From the first day's chaos to fundraisers in Borowy's name and the trial of Gladden, here is a timeline of events after the shooting:

August 27

Shooting at Perry Hall High School, Suspect in Custody
County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said a 15-year-old gunman "randomly picked" a 17-year-old student and shot him in the back. The shooter would eventually be identified as Robert Gladden, and the victim Daniel Borowy.

Perry Hall High to Reopen Tuesday After Shooting
"Students responded maturely, and the faculty, through its quick intervention, saved lives and captured the assailant," said BCPS Superintendent S. Dallas Dance.

August 28

Students Pray, Sing Before School
Many wore shirts that read "Pray for Daniel" in honor of the 17-year-old shooting victim, and "Team Wasmer" in honor of guidance counselor, who witnesses say intervened and stopped the attack.

Principal: 'Sense of Normalcy' to Return to Perry Hall High
Perry Hall High School was returning to a "sense of normalcy" less than 24 hours after the shooting, Principal George Roberts told reporters.

September 5

Gladden Indicted For Perry Hall High Shooting
Robert Gladden faced nine counts each of first-degree assault and reckless endangerment, as well as one count each of use of a firearm in the commission of a crime and carrying a weapon on school property.

September 7

Donations, Benefits for Perry Hall Student Shooting Victim
Several restaurants and community organizations rallied around the family of Daniel Borowy in the weeks after the shooting.

November 8

Borowy Returns for 'Low-Key' School Day
Daniel Borowy returned to classes less than three months after the shooting. "We wanted it to be as comfortable for him as possible. He went through his day event-free," said assistant principal Stephen Arnold.

November 13

Perry Hall High Donates Blood, Reflects on Student Shooting
Volunteers reported more than 60 students decided to give blood during the event honoring Perry Hall shooting victim Daniel Borowy.

December 13

Perry Hall High 'Love' Mural Heals Through Handprints
Artist Michael Owen of the Baltimore Love Project worked with art students in the creation of a mural that spelled "LOVE" on the cafeteria wall. Its goal, less than five months after the shooting, was to take a space once filled with violence and fill it with love.

January 3

Gladden To Request Juvenile Trial
If tried as a juvenile, Gladden would face significantly less jail time and media scrutiny.

January 31

Recordings: Gladden Said He Intended More Victims
"I was thinking about committing suicide ... but I really wanted to get the point across, so I thought I might as well kill some other kids and then off myself," Gladden told Baltimore County police.

February 8

Gladden To Be Charged As Adult
"The court can reasonably expect that if placed in treatment with juveniles, he would lack candor with therapists ... he would bully other juveniles ... he would act in a defiant, hostile and disinterested way," said Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Robert Cahill Jr.

February 25

Gladden Gets 35 Years in Life Sentence
Gladden was given a life sentence with all but 35 years suspended on an attempted first-degree murder charge, and 20 years to run concurrently for the use of a firearm during a violent act.

What are your thoughts surrounding the Perry Hall shooting now that a year has passed?