Latest news with #LandonLafond
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Monroe County school leaders speak out after 3 teens die in 2 separate shooting incidents
Tight-knit communities in Monroe County are reeling after three teens died in separate incidents over the last week. On Tuesday, 16-year-olds Faith Hamilton and Landon Lafond were found dead outside a car in Raisinville Township. On June 14 in Bedford Township, 33-year-old Ryne Jacob Leist allegedly shot and killed 17-year-old Gwendolyn Fay Smith before dying by suicide. "It's been tragic. It's been a significant impact on our community," said Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough. Monroe County Intermediate School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen McNew says these situations have rocked the area, with the three students attending two of the largest schools in the district. "There's so many unanswered questions. It's tragic enough if a student is killed in a car accident or something like that, but when it's a situation like this," said McNew. Right now, little information is known about the relationship between Smith and Leist, with authorities saying the victim didn't believe there was anything romantic between her and the former school bowling coach. "We don't have any information to that fact, other than we know that five days prior to this incident, there was a communication that was being looked into," said Goodnough. Investigators say Hamilton and Lafond appeared to be dating, with officers finding writings inside Lafond's car indicating that he planned to take both of their lives. McNew says these cases, particularly of the young couple, highlight the concerns his district has over rising numbers of violence in all forms in the community. "Monroe County itself only has about 150,000 residents. So, whenever there's an incident in one of our school districts, it's obviously extremely impactful," said McNew. To combat that, McNew credits the district's mental health team, with 11 members spread out across the county to support students, faculty and staff as they navigate difficult situations. "If they see anything that's out of the ordinary, they report it, and we follow up on it. We try to be as proactive as we possibly can. I would not want to be reactive," said McNew. Hamilton and Lafond were students of Airport Community Schools. District Superintendent Ryan Duvall released a statement saying, "The Airport Community Schools family is mourning this unimaginable loss, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy." McNew says school and law enforcement leaders plan to maintain ongoing conversations as these investigations continue to ensure the community gets the support it needs.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- CBS News
Authorities identify two teens found shot to death in Monroe County, Michigan
Residents react after two teens found dead outside vehicle in Monroe County Residents react after two teens found dead outside vehicle in Monroe County Residents react after two teens found dead outside vehicle in Monroe County The Monroe County Sheriff's Office identified the two people who were found shot to death outside a vehicle on Tuesday in Raisinville Township, Michigan. In an update on Wednesday, Sheriff Troy Goodnough said the teens were identified as 16-year-olds Faith Hamilton and Landon Lafond. Goodnough did not release the manner of death pending a report from the coroner's office. Goodnough said Hamilton's uncle was the one who found the teens on Heiss Road near Steffas Road after tracking her phone. Goodnough said the teens, who appeared to be in a dating relationship, were in contact with each other Tuesday morning before ending up at the location. He said investigators found writings inside Lafond's vehicle indicating that he intended "to take both Faith and his life." At this time, the sheriff's office is not calling the incident a murder-suicide. Goodnough said there is no connection to the suspected murder-suicide that happened over the weekend in Bedford Township. In that case, authorities allege that 17-year-old Gwendolyn Smith was shot and killed by 33-year-old Ryne Leist, who worked as a bowling coach. Investigators said Leist then shot himself. "It's been tragic. It's been a significant impact on our community," Goodnough said. An investigation is ongoing.
