Story Created:
Mar 22, 2010 at 6:56 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Mar 22, 2010 at 10:12 PM CDT
(Springfield, Mo.) -- Police spent almost exactly 24 hours investigating at the scene. Now, the 'crime scene' tape is gone, but the search for a suspect is ongoing.
That's just heartless, completely heartless," says neighbor Rachel Rathbun.
What began for Rathbun as an evening watching TV with her son took a tragic turn Sunday.
"It sounded like somebody was messing with our window because I heard some loud bangs outside our window," she says.
When she looked out, she couldn't believe what she saw. Across the street, at a 5-year-old's birthday party, a party her son was invited to...
"I'm so glad i was not there."
...Rathbun saw a man running down the street, and her neighbor, Russ Ray, running out of his house.
"He said, 'Cody just got shot. He just popped him and left and ran,'" says Rathbun.
"We believe that it was a targeted attack and not a random act," says Lt. David Millsap of the Springfield Police Dept.
A gunman shot 17-year-old Kody Ray three times. Police say both ray and the shooter are students at Hillcrest High School.
Neighbors say the shooting was the result of a school fight.
"We've heard that same information, and we're looking to see if this ties into that," says Millsap.
Police spent the day Monday combing the house, looking for clues and interviewing witnesses.
Whatever the reason for shooting, Rathbun says this never should have happened.
"No matter what he did, he don't deserve that," says Rathbun.
Ray moved to Springfield from Sidney, Ny. about a year ago. Sidney Central High School is counseling students on their loss. Grief counselors will be available at Hillcrest High School Tuesday from 10am to 2pm.
Springfield Public Schools are out this week for spring break.
Contact: dmagditch@kspr.com
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