VERO BEACH — Absenteeism has doubled at Vero Beach High School in the last week with bomb threats starting off four school days.

And for many students who did show up for school this week, the decision came after a serious conversation at home.

“My daughter tried not to go Monday because of the Columbine anniversary,” parent Darby Dickerson said. “But I told her you can’t let two dead folks from 10 years ago stop you.”
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STUART — A man accused of using a shotgun to blast his way into a Palm City home about 9 a.m. last Thursday, only to be shot three times himself, is expected to be charged with attempted murder and armed burglary.

Rhonda Irons, Martin County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said Monday that investigators are still probing the circumstances under which Christopher Reber, 23, of Stuart, is suspected of shooting his way into the home where Joe Russo and Linda Schultz live.

Schultz, 40, was home alone when Reber blew out the glass doors on the rear of her Lake Village home, reports said. She was slightly injured but grabbed a .40-caliber handgun and fired back at him, hitting him three times.
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Police sketch of suspect.

At about 10 p.m., the couple was in their family room watching television when the man burst into the home in the 2200 block of Southeast Seafury Lane, Port St. Lucie police spokesman Officer Thomas Nichols said.

The man demanded cash and threatened to kill the husband unless the 64-year-old wife handed over cash, Nichols said. When he got the money, the suspect fled, Nichols said.

No one was injured in the incident.

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Aaron W. Benson

Last Wednesday Michael Williams reported to Martin County Sheriff’s deputies that someone had burglarized his Hobe Sound mobile home when he was out at work. When he returned, Williams said he found a safe, money, jewelry and blank checks were missing.

Michael B. Williams