(NY) Students honor robber shot to death by pizza guy... 04-23-05

(NY) Students honor robber shot to death by pizza guy... 04-23-05
Date: Apr 23, 2005 11:31 PM
...and school officials support students.

Niagara Gazette Online
Address:http://www.niagara-gazette.com/story.asp?id=1776


Student's memorial drawing criticism
By Rick Forgione
Saturday, April 23, 2005

A student-created memorial honoring Niagara Falls High School sophomore
Anthony "Tony" Sheard is causing some stir in the community.

Sheard was shot and killed Wednesday night while allegedly trying to rob
a pizza delivery man in the 1300 block of Pierce Ave. While police have
linked him to gang activity in the past, friends, family and school
officials remember a different side of Sheard.

Flowers litter the floor around Sheard's locker located on the fourth
floor of Niagara Falls High School. The locker is covered with
photographs of Sheard, letters and posters. Messages include "Rest In
Peace" and "We Love You."

"Putting notes on his locker is how some of our students are dealing
with the grieving process," school Principal Mark Laurrie said.

Those acts of sympathy may not seem harmful, but some people are taking
offense to the school allowing the memorial. Several people called the
Niagara Gazette's newsroom Friday to voice their displeasure.

"Is this how our great school district treats all of the city's
criminals?" said Rachael Douglas, a Falls resident who said she's been
robbed at knifepoint before. "I'm disgusted that the school is allowing
him to be turned into some sort of martyr. They're putting him on a
pedestal for God sakes."

Others criticized the district for flying the American flag at
half-staff, even though they haven't done so to honor any of the
soldiers who have died in Iraq.

Laurrie said Friday afternoon that he's also received calls from angry
people regarding the memorial. He pointed out the students have the
right to deal with the situation the best they can.

"We're not building a monument or a shrine," he said. "Despite what
the
circumstances are, we're grieving a child's death."