Funeral arrangements will be made early next week for an Oxford Middle School eighth-grader who shot himself at home on Jan. 25.
Donations for the family of Shane Hrischuk, 14, are being collected to help with funeral expenses. Contributions can be made at Chase Bank in the name of his mother, Michelle Hrischuk, via account number 3008463829.
Checks can also be made out to Michelle Hrischuk and delievered to OMS at 1420 Lakeville Rd.
Shane died at the hospital Jan. 26 at 2:48 p.m.
His death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound he sustained using a .45-caliber handgun belonging to his father, according to Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Scott Patterson, commander of the Oxford Township substation.
Colleen Hrischuck, Shane’s aunt, released a statement through the Oxford school district indicating that the family does not know the reason for this tragedy and they may never know.
‘The family is comforted by the Gift of Life process, knowing that Shane is saving lives with (his) organ donation(s),? the statement read.
Patterson said that Shane did not leave behind any type of communication explaining why he shot himself.
The school district indicated that administrators, grief counselors, social workers and clergy volunteers have spent time at the middle school working with staff, students and parents.
The district is working with Dave Opalewski, a Central Michigan University professor and author of “Confronting Death in the School Family.”
“His services include meeting with each school’s crisis team, conducting professional development sessions for staff, presenting at student assemblies that incorporate skits performed by our students (which can then be broadcast into classrooms), and speaking at a community forum,” according to a statement from the district.
On Friday, Feb 3., there will be an eighth-grade student assembly at OMS and classroom visits, following by an OHS student assembly and classroom visits on Friday, Feb. 10.
A community forum will be held on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Oxford Fine Arts Center at the high school. A time will be announced.
The OHS student council is covering the cost of Opalewski’s services.