Shooter’s ‘shocked’ parents speak out

The family of the Oregon high school shooter who killed another student before turning the gun on himself has broken their silence, saying they are “deeply confused and shocked” by their son’s actions.

Michael Padgett and his ex-wife, Kristina, delivered a handwritten statement Friday to Fox 12 in Oregon, speaking out for the first time since their 15-year-old son, Jared, opened fire Tuesday at Reynolds High School in Troutdale, where he fatally shot freshman Emilio Hoffman, age 14, and wounded a teacher before taking his own life.

“We are at a loss as to how and why this tragedy unfolded,” the statement read. “Our family does not condone and has never promoted violence or hatred toward anyone.”

Padgett entered the school Tuesday, the next-to-last day of classes, armed with an AR-15 rifle, a handgun, a large knife and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, police have said.

“We are deeply sorrowful for the family of Emilio Hoffman and share their pain, heartache and grief for the loss of their oldest son and brother of the family,” the statement continued.

The family said they never saw the seething anger that apparently fueled Jared as he opened fire on the high school grounds.

“The values that we have taught our children are love in Jesus Christ, compassion, forgiveness and patience,” the statement read. “These were all natural attributes we observed with Jared daily.”