Trevor Varinecz was described as a compassionate, caring and happy 16-year-old, not the kind of person who would attack a school resource officer with two knives, according to friends who attended a memorial for the Carolina Forest High School junior Wednesday afternoon.
He was a very well liked young man, said Jeff Chandler with Chandler Law Firm who acted as a family spokesman. That [incident] does not speak to his character.
Varinecz died Friday after being shot by Horry County Lance Cpl. Marcus Rhodes, the schools resource officer. Authorities said Varinecz was armed with two knives and attacked Rhodes at 8:20 a.m. Friday inside Rhodes office.
A motive for the incident has not been released as agents with the State Law Enforcement Division continue their investigation.
Rhodes was stabbed and Varinecz was shot five times, including one fatal wound to the chest. Preliminary findings in the investigation showed Rhodes did nothing wrong in the shooting and was justified in his actions, according to 15th Judicial Deputy Solicitor Fran Humphries. Rhodes was treated and released Friday from Conway Medical Center, and has been placed on paid medical leave, officials said.
Varineczs family is grieving and searching for answers about what happened Friday during the incident that lead to the teens death, Chandler said.
They dont know what happened. All they have are questions and very little answers, Chandler said following Varincezs memorial Wednesday at Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway.
About 100 people attended the service where former teachers, a former classmate and others described Varinecz as a compassionate young man who loved to tell jokes and study history.
E-Mail
Print
The Sun News Terms & Conditions and Commenting Policies can be reviewed here.