Cope Family Comments on Parker Guilty Plea

The family of Preston Cope, who was killed in the shooting at Marshall County High School, has issued a statement in response to Tuesday's guilty plea of Gabriel Parker.

Parker plead guilty to two counts of murder and fourteen counts of assault in a court teleconference. Cope and his classmate Bailey Holt, both of whom were fifteen years old, died on January 23, 2018 as a result of gunshot wounds.

The Cope family said that day was the worst of their lives, but on Tuesday a prayer was answered and a burden was lifted. They said the avoidance of a trial means also avoiding, "the many emotional cruelties," that would accompany it. They thanked God for strength and peace He has given them, and thanked the community for their support and prayers. 

They said, "this is not the end; this is the beginning of our Journey to honor Preston...Don't Stop Believin'."


Here is the complete statement:

"On Tuesday, 2 years, 3 months and 5 days following the worst day of our lives, a prayer was answered. With the guilty plea from the defendant, a heavy burden has been lifted for our family. We along with the other victims and their families, will not have to experience the grueling process of a trial and the many emotional cruelties that would have accompanied it. Although we've all lost, we give all the glory to God. He has blessed us with the strength and peace necessary to continue, as He has carried us all these days. Our family is extremely grateful to the entire community for the continued support and prayers, and we could never adequately express our never-ending appreciation. Our lives will forever be changed, but we will spend the rest of our days focusing on the happiness that Preston brought our family and friends and the many memories we share with our community. God has a bigger plan. This is not the end; this is the beginning of our Journey to honor Preston....Don't Stop Believin'."