Chase Albert "Beka" Lussier, was born Dec. 23, 1989 on the Red Lake Reserve. He was in 10th grade at Red Lake high school. He loved playing basketball and computer games. But in December, his life changed dramatically. Chase now had a child, a little boy.
"He loved his baby," Sondra Hedgstrom, his friend said.
Chase did his best to juggle looking after his baby, schoolwork, family, basketball, and friends.
On March 21rst, Chase's life ended, but in a way that he went through his whole life. Through bravery and kindness.
He was in study hall, when a shotgun blast was heard. At first it was thought to be a student who dropped their books - until more shots rang out. The room was silent with fear. The teacher in charge, Neva Rogers locked the door and shut off the lights. A gunman was heading in the direction of their class. The teacher ordered the students to go to the back of the room and hide wherever they could. Ashley Lajeunesse, crouched near her friend Chase. Chase shoved her down and told her to stay behind him. Jeff Weise walked in, in dark clothing and a gun in his hands. He shot the glass of the door, then unlocked it from inside. Ashley peeked over Chase to see the gunman. She described Jeff's face as "a mixture of anger and fear". Their eyes met. Jeff raised his gun and fired. Ashley ducked. A moment later, she felt something warm and wet coating her jeans. It was Chase's blood. "Chase saved my life," Ashley said.
If Chase had not guarded Ashley behind him, she would have been the one who received the fatal shot. Chase would have likely survived hiding somewhere else in the room. Chase knew this, yet sacrificed his own life to save that of another. Even though he had a son to look after, family, and aspirations, he put that aside so that Ashley would live. It takes a lot of bravery to do that. Chase had a heart of gold, and for that, he will be remembered for always.
"He loved his baby," Sondra Hedgstrom, his friend said.
Chase did his best to juggle looking after his baby, schoolwork, family, basketball, and friends.
On March 21rst, Chase's life ended, but in a way that he went through his whole life. Through bravery and kindness.
He was in study hall, when a shotgun blast was heard. At first it was thought to be a student who dropped their books - until more shots rang out. The room was silent with fear. The teacher in charge, Neva Rogers locked the door and shut off the lights. A gunman was heading in the direction of their class. The teacher ordered the students to go to the back of the room and hide wherever they could. Ashley Lajeunesse, crouched near her friend Chase. Chase shoved her down and told her to stay behind him. Jeff Weise walked in, in dark clothing and a gun in his hands. He shot the glass of the door, then unlocked it from inside. Ashley peeked over Chase to see the gunman. She described Jeff's face as "a mixture of anger and fear". Their eyes met. Jeff raised his gun and fired. Ashley ducked. A moment later, she felt something warm and wet coating her jeans. It was Chase's blood. "Chase saved my life," Ashley said.
If Chase had not guarded Ashley behind him, she would have been the one who received the fatal shot. Chase would have likely survived hiding somewhere else in the room. Chase knew this, yet sacrificed his own life to save that of another. Even though he had a son to look after, family, and aspirations, he put that aside so that Ashley would live. It takes a lot of bravery to do that. Chase had a heart of gold, and for that, he will be remembered for always.
Chase Albert "Beka" Lussier, was born Dec. 23, 1989 on the Red Lake Reserve. He was in 10th grade at Red Lake high school. He loved playing basketball and computer games. But in December, his life changed dramatically. Chase now had a child, a little boy.
"He loved his baby," Sondra Hedgstrom, his friend said.
Chase did his best to juggle looking after his baby, schoolwork, family, basketball, and friends.
On March 21rst, Chase's life ended, but in a way that he went through his whole life. Through bravery and kindness.
He was in study hall, when a shotgun blast was heard. At first it was thought to be a student who dropped their books - until more shots rang out. The room was silent with fear. The teacher in charge, Neva Rogers locked the door and shut off the lights. A gunman was heading in the direction of their class. The teacher ordered the students to go to the back of the room and hide wherever they could. Ashley Lajeunesse, crouched near her friend Chase. Chase shoved her down and told her to stay behind him. Jeff Weise walked in, in dark clothing and a gun in his hands. He shot the glass of the door, then unlocked it from inside. Ashley peeked over Chase to see the gunman. She described Jeff's face as "a mixture of anger and fear". Their eyes met. Jeff raised his gun and fired. Ashley ducked. A moment later, she felt something warm and wet coating her jeans. It was Chase's blood. "Chase saved my life," Ashley said.
If Chase had not guarded Ashley behind him, she would have been the one who received the fatal shot. Chase would have likely survived hiding somewhere else in the room. Chase knew this, yet sacrificed his own life to save that of another. Even though he had a son to look after, family, and aspirations, he put that aside so that Ashley would live. It takes a lot of bravery to do that. Chase had a heart of gold, and for that, he will be remembered for always.
"He loved his baby," Sondra Hedgstrom, his friend said.
Chase did his best to juggle looking after his baby, schoolwork, family, basketball, and friends.
On March 21rst, Chase's life ended, but in a way that he went through his whole life. Through bravery and kindness.
He was in study hall, when a shotgun blast was heard. At first it was thought to be a student who dropped their books - until more shots rang out. The room was silent with fear. The teacher in charge, Neva Rogers locked the door and shut off the lights. A gunman was heading in the direction of their class. The teacher ordered the students to go to the back of the room and hide wherever they could. Ashley Lajeunesse, crouched near her friend Chase. Chase shoved her down and told her to stay behind him. Jeff Weise walked in, in dark clothing and a gun in his hands. He shot the glass of the door, then unlocked it from inside. Ashley peeked over Chase to see the gunman. She described Jeff's face as "a mixture of anger and fear". Their eyes met. Jeff raised his gun and fired. Ashley ducked. A moment later, she felt something warm and wet coating her jeans. It was Chase's blood. "Chase saved my life," Ashley said.
If Chase had not guarded Ashley behind him, she would have been the one who received the fatal shot. Chase would have likely survived hiding somewhere else in the room. Chase knew this, yet sacrificed his own life to save that of another. Even though he had a son to look after, family, and aspirations, he put that aside so that Ashley would live. It takes a lot of bravery to do that. Chase had a heart of gold, and for that, he will be remembered for always.
