ETHS Board Issues Statement On Dajae Coleman

What follows is a statement released by the District 202 Board of Education in response to the death of 14-year-old Dajae Coleman. Police say Dajae was shot by a man with gang affiliations as Dajae was walking home from a party in a case of mistaken identity.

District 202 Statement:

Members of the District 202 Board of Education are horribly shocked, deeply sorrowful and profoundly saddened by the senseless killing of our student, Dajae Coleman. 

Though words seem inadequate in the face of such tragic loss, we offer our most heartfelt condolences to Dajae's family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. 

To a grieving community ...the noted English philosopher George Henry Lewes once said, "The only cure for grief is action." We are especially proud of how our ETHS students are rallying to turn their grief into action; their exemplary response to this tragedy has set a fine example for all of us. 

We join Mayor Tisdahl and others in the community who have called Evanstonians to action to address this terrible incident. We must come together as an entire community to identify and implement strategies to protect our precious children from random violence. 

Let's work together to reaffirm our community values and assure a safe environment for our children. 

Mark Metz, president 

ETHS District 202 Board of Education