Search for suspect in deadly bus shooting

May 12, 2007 (WLS) -- The Chicago Public Schools Board is offering a $10,000 for information in a shooting on a CTA bus that killed one student and injured four others.

Extra security was on hand at Julian High. Grief counselors were also there to help students deal with the loss of a classmate, Blair Holt, 16. He died of injuries from the shooting, which occurred on a bus near the intersection of 103rd and Lowe in the Roselawn neighborhood at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. The victim's father is a Chicago police officer.

Police know who they are looking for. Numerous witnesses have identified the gunman, who is a juvenile, a former Julian High School student who had been assigned to an alternative school. The motive for the shooting is unclear, although police suggest there may be some gang involvement in it. At this point, police have not yet found the young man they are looking for.

"He was a wonderful, wonderful son. He was a good kid," said Ron Holt, victim's father/police officer.

Ron Holt's son Blair Holt would have been 17 in June, a junior at Julian High School, planning for college. Thursday, Blair Holt boarded a CTA bus with other Julian students for their after-school trips home. A young man boarded the bus and started shooting. Three girls and two boys were hit, and Thursday night, Blair Holt died from his wound.

"That someone just walked on the bus and started shooting is absolutely staggering, and the lack of respect for human life and just the easy availability of guns is unimaginable," said Arne Duncan, Schools CEO.

An angry Chicago Public Schools CEO offered this sobering thought Friday morning, that Blair Holt has become the 20th Chicago Public Schools student to die from gunfire in this school year.

"Everyone I've seen from second period, everyone crying and everything, walking down the hallways, everyone talked about how much they will miss him," said Raymond Sanders, student.

"I feel like it is a child of mine, and like any parent, I'm angry," said Dr. William Harris, Julian High principal.

Students and parents are angry and hurting over the loss of a schoolmate. Some say they are fearful of taking the bus now. Extra officers are assigned to the school in the Washington Heights community, but school officials acknowledge that is not a long-term solution to gun violence.

As a long-time police officer, Ron Holt has seen the worst the streets can show. He says he and Blair's mom, Annette Holt, taught their son courage and leadership and that he showed that Thursday when he used his body to shield a girl who was in the line of fire.

"I'm so proud of him. He gave up his life to save another life, and I'm proud of him. And I love him," said Ron Holt.

Chicago Public Schools are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman. Crime Stoppers has also offered $1,000. Police know at this point who they are looking for. They just haven't found him yet.

The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters Association has set up a fund in memory of Blair Holt.

Contributions are being accepted at:

The Blair Holt Scholarship Fund
Seaway National Bank
P.O. Box 19522
Chicago, IL 60619
Attn: Personal Banking
773/487-4800

Donations also are being accepted at the Black Fire Fighters Association's fund raiser taking place tonight at the Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th Street in Hickory Hills, IL, from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. For more information call: 773/370-5704

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