BENTON, Ky. (June 12, 2020) – Friday at 1 p.m. was the sentencing for Gabriel Parker who shot and killed two students on Jan. 23, 2018 at Marshall County High School and injured 14 others. Parker was found guilty of two counts of murder and received two life sentences in prison. For the 14 counts of assault, Parker received an additional 70 years to be served concurrently with the murder charges. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.
Parker who admitted to opening fire on that day, was indicted on two counts of murder of Bailey Holt and Preston Cope and 14 counts of assault. On April 28 he pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, eight counts of 1st degree assault and six counts of 2nd degree assault. Due to his age of 15 at the time of the shooting, Parker was not eligible for life without parole or the death penalty.
An emotional courtroom in Benton as family members of the victims spoke directly to Parker at Friday’s sentencing, marking the end to over two years of pain and heartache while waiting for this day to bring at least this part of the healing process to an end.
Mason Cosner, one of the 14 injured that day and Stephanie Ives, mother of Griffin Ives who also sustained injuries, were the first to speak at Parker’s sentencing followed by more parents sharing emotional stories.
Speaking last, Brian and Teresa Cope, parents of Preston and Jasen and Secret Holt, parents of Bailey, shared favorite memories of their children whose lives were tragically cut short at the age of 15, and the heartache of the milestones their children will never get to experience. They spoke directly to Parker, telling him about the precious souls he took from them that day.