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Chardon 10 years later: Remember their names

Danny Parmertor. Demetrius Hewlin. Russell King, Jr. 10 years after the deadly school shooting, a town honors their legacy, and charts a new path of hope and good.

CHARDON, Ohio — To casual observers, Chardon looks much like it did back then. Known for its town square and snowfall totals until one Monday morning in late February 2012 when Chardon joined the ranks of communities like Littleton, Colorado and Blacksburg, Virginia- tragedies more commonly identified as "Columbine" and "Virginia Tech."  

That Monday morning is when Chardon High and the community surrounding it were shattered school violence. 

"God doesn't call the qualified, but he qualifies the called. And, I think he was with us that day. I'm just grateful I was able to do what I did that day," says assistant football coach Frank Hall. 

Hall, who was also a study hall monitor, heard the shots, ran toward the gunman, chasing him out of the building. Hall then ran back in, to tend to the wounded.

"I just which I could have done more. You wish you could have. I wish I could have done more," Hall said in a recent interview with 3News. 

Three students died from their wounds: Daniel Parmertor, Demetrius Hewlin and Russell King, Jr. Nick Walczak was seriously wounded, shot four times - the last bullet severing his spine. Nate Mueller and Joy Rickers were also shot that day. Their wounds were not as severe.  

Healing follows its own path.

As we remember the events of February 27, 2012 -- this week will hear from loved ones and protectors who ask us to never forget.

"Danny. Russell. Demetrius. Saying their names is important," says Dina Parmertor, mother of Danny. 

Dina remembers her son's laugh, his positive confident approach to life, and his love for her computers.

These are the memories she clings to, as time marches on. Her focus is using Danny's memory and building his legacy, to help others who shared the same passion as he did.

"I always look for a little bit of Danny in a few of these students, and I've found it," she said of students who benefit from the Danny Parmertor Scholarship Fund.

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