Just last week the terror of gun violence hit home hard in our family. Two of our grandsons were in a school that was held on a 5 hour lock down due to a tweeted threat to “shoot up the school”. Like many, when I heard, my heart raced, my throat dried, and I felt a cold, powerful fear. And anger, I felt anger. How dare someone put my children in danger! Like many, I spent the afternoon worried about the outcome. And anger, I felt anger. And my daughter, the mother of my threatened grandsons presented me a new perspective, a clear perspective.
The boy, a 15 year old with a diagnosis of autism, had been in the school this entire time, unarmed, frightened, the tweet a misjudged political statement on gun violence and the ability of “adults” to protect our children.
It seems the school knew right away where the tweet appeared from, it was not a hidden account, knew the boy had a diagnosis, and knew he was with all of the other kids locked down in the classroom. Yet, for hours, our news stations, ran non stop coverage of this new “threat” Police, FBI, Helicopters, blocked roads, all this occurred with unnecessary alarm.
And finally, after hours of terror, the boy was arrested from his classroom, thrown in jail, and allowed 5 minutes a day with his parents. He is still there, in jail, broken, suicidal, crying, in total despair. Not receiving the help he needs to save his spirit, just being punished. And me, I am ashamed of my hatred for him and ashamed of the Orono Police and Schools for politicizing this event, rather than help save this boy.
I am told he is gentle, kind, and has never been threatening. Like any child with 
autism he has poor impulse control. And not thinking, thought he might be helping.
I do so believe in gun control, I believe in peace, I believe in helping our children survive. I believe in preventing and healing, not terrorizing our young.
Please visit this site and donate what you can to help him, help his family, and help this community move forward into a future of light not one of anger and darkness.
Tilly Evan Jones 
Feb 26, 2018 @ 22:04:26
Hi Tilly, and thank you for this writing. I have a child at Orono and I too experienced all of what you did. I want to offer this for thought as well. Orono and the Police did a fabulous job updating us parents as that long day went on. I don’t believe they intentionally drug anything out for publicity – I sincerely believe they had all the students’ welfare at heart, and couldn’t possibly have known the child didn’t have a weapon until they figured out how to get in there and check without risking the safety of other children. This was just a really bad situation all around, and I so hope this family can get the help they need to heal – their son and all of them. Thank you again for your writing! Julia Harrison
Feb 27, 2018 @ 00:01:46
Thank you Julia, it has been wonderful to see the outpouring of concern for Jake. I also hope all will work out for Jake and his family. It will not be easy for them.
It will be wonderful if this situation provides a much needed shift in our opinions of children and their needs.
Thank you again for your wonderful response.
Tilly