Thousands Mourn Girls Slain by Classmate

Quiet sobs joined the strains of “Amazing Grace” on Friday as thousands of mourners gathered to praise the religious devotion of three girls who were gunned down during a school prayer meeting.

Classmates, family and neighbors wept as photographs of Kayce Steger, Nicole Hadley and Jessica James flashed on huge television screens during the joint funeral in the cavernous Bible Baptist Heartland Worship Center.

“In a sense, they died for what they believed in,” said Ben Strong, the 17-year-old pastor’s son who persuaded the gunman to stop firing into the crowded school lobby Monday morning.

“It hurts to see them go, but to them there was no better way,” Strong said. “They were praying. As soon as they said, ‘Amen,’ they saw the face of God.”

Friends and classmates left messages on the caskets: “We love you.” “We miss you.” “This isn’t goodbye, I’ll see you soon.”

After the service, the girls were buried in separate, private services.

The Rev. Don Young told mourners that God didn’t cause the shootings, that the young man charged in the crime chose to do it himself.

“We’re not puppets on a string,” he said, “and God isn’t a puppeteer.”

Almost taking on the tones of a religious revival, some of the ministers urged those in the audience--and those watching nationally televised coverage--to become Christians.

“Our nation needs to make some choices,” Young said. “They need to help reestablish family values. We need to put a value back on human life. We need to put moral integrity back in government. We need to put God back in schools.”

“We live in a nation where we slaughter our children, and we act surprised when they slaughter each other,” the Rev. Tim Percy said. “God help us.”

The Rev. Jim Gearhart read a letter to Kayce by her mother, Sabrina Steger. She urged those who knew the girls to recall their faith and be encouraged by it.

“These memories will help us survive until we are reunited in heaven,” Sabrina Steger wrote.

Police say Michael Carneal, a 14-year-old freshman, opened fire on his classmates as they wound up their daily informal prayers at Heath High School. In addition to the three who died, five other students were wounded, including a girl who was paralyzed from the waist down.

Investigators questioned Carneal twice again Thursday night, and the boy insisted that he acted alone, officials said.

Carneal is charged as a juvenile with murder, attempted murder and burglary for allegedly stealing the guns from a neighbor’s home. His case is expected to be transferred to adult court.