WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Students return to school after classmate killed by resource officer

Students return to school after classmate killed by resource officer

CONWAY, S.C. (WMBF) - People who know a Conway teen who was shot and killed after authorities say he stabbed a school resource officer say the high school junior was not violent. The news comes as his classmates return to school for the first time since the shooting.

A family friend and a counselor told The Sun News of Myrtle Beach 16-year-old Trevor Varinecz suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a condition that generally makes people like rules.

Varinecz was shot five times Friday at Carolina Forest High School in Conway. They say Varinecz asked Lance Cpl. Marcus Rhodes if they could talk Friday as classes started at Carolina Forest High School in Conway, then pulled out a knife.

Investigators say the officer was stabbed several times. He was released from the hospital hours later. Rhodes' friends say this situation is very difficult for him.

According to Carolina Forest High School Principal Velna Allen, the school will provide grief counseling and beef up security in hopes of making students and parents feel safe when they head back to class Monday.

"They entrust us with their children," Allen said. "We don't take that lightly."

Two Horry County police officers will be on campus Monday. One will stay until the school has a permanent SRO officer. Allen says those officers will get a "crash course" of the campus in the morning.

"I do want parents to understand that we put the safety of children first, and we're always going to do what we can to make sure," Allen explained. "Now we won't make a guarantee, but are going to make sure we do everything humanly possible."

Between five and 10 counselors will be available for students in private and group sessions.

Counselors will also visit all of Trevor Varinecz 's classes to talk with students. Allen says those counselors will be available as long as students need them.

Some parts of F-House, where the incident happened, will be off-limits to students as the investigation continues.

Administrators will arrive to campus early and will spread out around campus so they will be visible and available for students. The Horry County Superintendent of Schools said she hopes student will return to a calm campus Monday.

Copyright 2009 WMBF. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. AP contributed to this report