John Alfred Klang, aged 49, tragically lost his life on September 29, 2006, in Cazenovia, Wisconsin. Klang was the principal and district administrator at Weston High School. On that fateful day, a 15-year-old student named Eric Hainstock entered the school armed with a shotgun and a handgun. The incident began when Hainstock aimed the shotgun at a social studies teacher, but the school custodian managed to wrestle the shotgun away from him.
However, Hainstock still had the handgun concealed in his jacket.
Principal Klang confronted Hainstock in the hallway, leading to a struggle between the two. During the altercation, Hainstock fired the handgun multiple times, striking Klang. Despite being mortally wounded, Klang heroically managed to disarm Hainstock and throw the gun away, preventing further harm. Klang was then taken to the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, where he succumbed to his injuries later that day.
Eric Hainstock was arrested at the scene and later charged with first-degree intentional homicide. The case drew significant attention, highlighting issues of school safety and the impact of bullying, as Hainstock claimed he had been bullied at school. In 2007, Hainstock was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
The community mourned the loss of John Klang, who was remembered for his dedication to his students and his courageous actions on the day of the shooting. He was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for his heroism in saving others during the attack. The incident remains a poignant reminder of the importance of addressing school violence and supporting students facing challenges.
