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Tom Robertson
BEMIDJI, Minn.

Little Falls schools react to teens' deaths

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Schools in Little Falls have additional grief counselors on hand today in response to the Thankgiving Day shooting death of two high school students.

This is the first day students have been back in school since Haile Kifer, 18, and Nicholas Brady, 17, were shot and killed during an alleged break-in at a rural Little Falls home. In a crimnial complaint, homeowner Byron Smith admitted to shooting the teens multiple times. He's been charged with second degree murder.

The mood in school today has been somber, according to Little Falls Superintendent Stephen Jones.

"It's been subdued, which tells us that the kids are really processing," said Jones. "They have a lot of feelings, but right now they're learning how to put them in perspective. That's what our professionals are here to help them with, and so kids are coming down to talk through feelings."

The two teens were high school athletes who were popular among their schoolmates. According to the criminal complaint, Byron Smith waited a full day before reporting the incident.

Additional grief counselors will be available at least through the end of the week, Jones said.