'Our grief is gut-wrenching': Hundreds say their goodbyes to slain Marshall County students

BENTON, Ky. — They came by the hundreds, some crying openly for the teen girl who loved black Converse sneakers and the teen boy who loved baseball.

Others didn't know Bailey Holt or Preston Cope at all, but in a community as tight-knit as Benton, Kentucky, they came anyway, standing in line for hours at Marshall County High School to pay their respects to the two 15-year-olds killed during a shooting at the school Tuesday.

A line of hundreds reached to the end of the school and inside, hundreds more stood in line in the auditorium where photos of Holt and Cope in better times sat near two closed coffins.

Meanwhile, at a press conference nearby, two woman spoke about the teens on  behalf of their families.

Holts's aunt, Tracy Tubbs spoke on behalf of her family.

She said Holt called her mom in secret the morning of the shooting but "it was too late."

More coverage from Marshall County

►Parents of victim thankful for final moments with son
►Gov. Bevin defends the power of prayer after tragedy
►What we know about the Marshall County school shooting

Tubbs said the  family learned that Holt did not suffer and was surrounded by people trying to help her, but Jesus called her home.

“How great our Lord and Savior is, He chose us to have this beautiful creature in our life for 15 short magnificent years," Tubbs said. "Our anger is evident. Our grief is gut-wrenching.”

She said the act of violence had the opposite effect, bringing out kindness and love and bringing the community closer together.

“We will get through this and we will be more like Bailey going forward," she said.
We will hug tighter, we will love HARDER.”

Jackie Reid, principal of Sharpe Elementary where Cope's mother is a teacher, spoke on behalf of his family.

 “We have felt each and every prayer," she said. "To hear how much Preston was loved has been such a blessing.,"

She described him as caring and passionate.

Holt and Cope have gone to school together most of their lives.

She loved the University of Louisville and he loved history and outdoors.

"Most of all, he loved his family," Reid said.

Ellen Walsh, a friend of Holt's mother, stood at the end of a long line outside the school for a joint visitation for the two teens Saturday evening.

"It's horrible," she said. "You send your child to school, you expect them to come home."

There's little she can do for the family except show her support.

"That's what I would want, for people to come and show you care," she said. "You feel powerless. What else can you do but that?

Russ Bohannon graduated Marshall County High School years ago but returned Saturday to share his sadness with the rest of the community.

"We're all like a family," he said. "As my mom said, this shooting has rocked this little community to its core.

A photo of Preston and Bailey from their first day of school was recently found and passed onto family.

More:Reporter rushes to Kentucky school shooting – and learns the alleged gunman is her son

"Preston and Bailey started school together and ended school together,” Reid said.

A 15 year old student was arrested and is expected to be tried as an adult.

The shooting also injured 17 people. 

One patient from the shooting was discharged from Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Saturday and one patient was in stable condition, according to spokeswoman Tavia Smith.

Reach Reporter Stephanie Ingersoll at singersoll@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0267 and on Twitter @StephLeaf