PORTLAND — The parents of a teenager who fatally shot a classmate at an Oregon high school released a statement Friday in which they apologized for their son’s actions, and said they never promoted violence or hatred.
Michael Padgett and his ex-wife Kristina said they are at a loss for how and why the shooting occurred. The letter states they taught Jared Padgett and their other children the values of compassion, forgiveness, patience and love in Jesus Christ.
“These were all natural attributes we observed within Jared daily,” the statement said. “Knowing that these are the values that we have taught our children, we are horrified and distraught by the actions perpetrated by our son.”
The statement was hand-delivered Friday afternoon to KPTV, the FOX affiliate in Portland. It came three days after Jared Padgett, 15, opened fire after arriving at his high school east of Portland heavily armed.