Hundreds of students gathered in a circle outside Thurston High School in Springfield, Ore., Tuesday and prayed for an end to violence as they returned to classes for the first time since a shooting rampage that left two teens dead. Inside the cafeteria where 15-year-old Kip Kinkel allegedly opened fire, the bullet holes have been patched and painted over. Students were welcomed back with a free hot breakfast. For those who couldn’t face going inside, breakfast was also offered in an adjacent courtyard. “Some students will never feel comfortable going back in,” said Randy Harvey, the school’s director of personnel. Students held hands and bowed their heads in prayer, sang “Amazing Grace” and read aloud the names of all 24 people who were hurt in last Thursday’s shooting. Kinkel is accused of shooting his parents to death at their home before driving to school and opening fire in the crowded cafeteria.
