Diana Chism, mother of 14-year-old, Philip Chism, who was accused of murdering his 24-year-old teacher, released a statement about this tragic event on Saturday.
According to the statement Chism reaches out to the victim’s family, and wants the world to know that the Ritzer, the community, and her family need prayer as well.
According to CNN.com, Chism would also like to add that her son, wasn’t raised in a bad environment and that “She is struggling to understand this and respectfully asks for some time to process this.”
The tragic event happened last Tuesday at Danvers High School, when algebra teacher, Collen Ritzer asked Chism to stay behind after he was caught drawing in class. Yet, Chism attacked Ritzer in the girl’s bathroom with a box-cutter, and then proceeded to store her body in a trash can and hid it behind the woods at school.
Chism then went to the movies later that evening. It wasn’t until both Ritzer and Chism were reported missing that the authorities put the pieces together.
For those who knew of Chism they could only say a few things, he was a good student, non-voilent and soft spoken.
According to USAToday.com, Jean McCartin, a Danvers School Committee member had this to say about Chism.
“He just presented himself like any other student would. And that's what I think is so hard for the administration right now. You know, their hearts are breaking because they just didn't know he was in need, if he was in need."