Bio

Jose H. Reyes Urtiz was born on July 2, 2001, in Nevada. He was the first child of Jose and Liliana Reyes, who had moved to the United States from Mexico. Jose's family grew over the years with the birth of two younger sisters in 2005 and 2006. His early life was filled with the love and support of his parents, who worked hard to provide for their children. His father owned a restaurant called Sparks Coffee Shop, where Jose often helped out as he grew older.

When he was a child, Jose faced challenges, including a speech impediment. He struggled with verbal communication, and teachers noted his emotional difficulties starting as early as second grade. They described him as a quiet boy who often cried and needed support to calm down when upset. Teachers and school staff tried to help him with his struggles, and his parents sought assistance when they noticed he was having a tough time.

Throughout his early schooling, especially at Agnes Risley Elementary School, Jose was described as well-behaved and polite, but he also experienced teasing and bullying from some of his classmates. Friends said that he often felt disconnected from other students and did not have many close friends.

Despite these struggles, Jose also had moments of joy. He was creative and enjoyed making videos and playing with toys, such as action figures. He believed in Santa Claus and cherished family traditions. His parents instilled values of hard work and kindness in him. They were proud of his accomplishments in school, celebrating his achievements with awards and good report cards.

In the weeks leading up to October 21, 2013, Jose faced additional challenges. He was taken to a therapist, who prescribed him medication to help with his feelings of depression and anxiety. On that day, he arrived at Sparks Middle School and, during a brief and tragic incident, his life took a drastic turn.

Murder Story

On October 21, 2013, at Sparks Middle School in Nevada, 12-year-old Jose Reyes opened fire using a Ruger 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The shooting took place just before classes began, around 7:15 AM. Jose began his attack by confronting a group of students near the north hallway of the school. Witnesses reported that he appeared angry and asked, "Why you people making fun of me, why you laughing at me?"

He first shot one student in the shoulder, before walking toward the basketball court area. During this time, Michael Landsberry, a 45-year-old math teacher, tried to intervene. When Landsberry demanded that Jose drop the gun, Jose replied with "No!" and then shot Landsberry fatally in the chest. Following this, Jose fired at a window and then shot a second student, who attempted to help Landsberry, in the abdomen.

The chaotic scene caused panic among the students, many of whom ran away from the campus. Within minutes of the shooting, Jose Reyes took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The police received their first 911 calls shortly after the incident began.

During the aftermath, at least two students were injured, one of whom was hospitalized in critical condition but later stabilized. The shooting prompted a large emergency response, with numerous law enforcement personnel arriving at the scene.

In summary, the tragic incident resulted in the death of a beloved teacher and injuries to two students, leading to widespread shock and grief within the community. After the events, classes at Sparks Middle School were canceled for a week, with the school reopening on October 29. Vigils were held to honor the victims, and the community struggled to come to terms with the loss and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.