Nick Corwin

Nicholas B. Corwin (April 9, 1980 – May 20, 1988) was an American student at Hubbard Woods School who was murdered in his second grade classroom in Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka, Illinois.[1]

Nick Corwin
Born
Nicholas B. Corwin

April 9, 1980
Chicago, Illinois
DiedMay 20, 1988(1988-05-20) (aged 8)
Winnetka, Illinois
Cause of deathmurder
Burial placeMemorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL
87.740191°S 87.740191°W / -87.740191; -87.740191
Monumentsplaque at Nick Corwin Park
NationalityUSA
Parent(s)Linda and Joel Corwin

Life

Corwin was born on April 9, 1980 to Joel and Linda Corwin. In school he was an athlete known for his sportsmanship and skill.[2]

Death

On May 20, 1988, Corwin was shot dead by Laurie Dann using a .32 Smith & Wesson revolver. Dann then fled the school and after shooting another man (who survived) and holding a family hostage, committed suicide by shooting herself.[3]

Aftermath

Although the history of school shootings in America goes back to pre-independence times, Corwin's murder was among the first to feature prominently in the 24-hour news cycle, mostly revolving around the mental state of Dann. Because no other school shooting had received such wide coverage, Corwin’s murder is sometimes called “the first school shooting.” Since his murder, a school shooting was widely reported almost every year. Others noted that his shooting marked an “end of innocence”[4] for the prosperous community along Chicago’s North Shore, which had not had a murder in 30 years.

Dr. Donald Monroe, superintendent of Winnetka School District 36 noted “his ‘safe’ school” was “not as isolated and insulated as we thought.”[5] At the time of the shooting, Hubbard Woods, like many schools, was an open campus, with many doors, such as those to individual classrooms, kept open. After the shooting, a pattern of single-point entry emerged in more schools.[6]

Corwin is the namesake of a popular soccer field and playground in Winnetka.[7] There was resistance from those concerned that naming the park after Nick would be a source of ongoing trauma, but the children made it clear they wanted the park renamed. A plaque was also placed in the park, in his honor.

According to a report in People magazine, 1,500 people attended his funeral.[8]

Shortly after his death, playing on the meaning of his name (“giver of gifts”) his friends and schoolmates created a book, The Gifts that Nicholas Gave. He was remembered for his sportsmanship, kindness, and leadership.[9]

Classmates remembered Corwin for his exemplary play. One told a reporter that the other children would not be able to play fairly, because Nick was the one who knew all the rules.[10]

He is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.[11]

Following his death, Winnetka passed a handgun ban, which stood until D.C. vs Heller and subsequent NRA lawsuits.[12]

References
  1. Keppel, Bruce. “Woman Kills Boy, Wounds 5 at Illinois School; Is Found Dead.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, CA. May 21, 1988
  2. Silverman, David. “Nicky`s Story: Meet The Boy, Not The Victim, From Winnetka.” Chicago Tribune. Chicago IL. July 17, 1988
  3. Kaplan, Joel; Papajohn, George; Zorn, Eric (1990). Murder of Innocence: The tragic life and final rampage of Laurie Dann. New York City: Warner Books. ISBN 978-0-446-36002-9.
  4. Constable, Burt. “1988 school shooting in Winnetka.“1988 school shooting in Winnetka was different.” The Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, IL. Feb 20, 2018.
  5. Wilkerson, Isabel. Shootings Leave a Suburb in Trauma.” New York Times. New York, NY. May 28, 1988.
  6. Wilkerson, Isabel. Shootings Leave a Suburb in Trauma.” New York Times. New York, NY. May 28, 1988.
  7. Lucadamo, John. “Park To Be Renamed For Dann Victim.” Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. Sept 23. 1988.
  8. Brower, Montgomery; Bell, Bonnie. Breo, Dennis; Brott, Jody; Hevrdejs, Judy; Klebman, Barbara Mills; Tamarkin, Civia; Greenberg, Justin. “Mad Enough to Kill.” People. June 06, 1988. Cover story.
  9. Kaplan, Joel; Papajohn, George; Zorn, Eric. Murder of Innocence: The Tragic Life and Final Rampage of Laurie Dann.’Grand Central Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0446360023 ISBN 978-0446360029
  10. Brower, Montgomery; Bell, Bonnie. Breo, Dennis; Brott, Jody; Hevrdejs, Judy; Klebman, Barbara Mills; Tamarkin, Civia; Greenberg, Justin. “Mad Enough to Kill.” People. June 06, 1988
  11. ”Slain Boy Buried: God is Weeping.” New York Times. New York, NY.' AP Published: May 24, 1988. P D27
  12. Black, Lisa. “Winnetka repeals 20-year-old ban on possessing handguns.” Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. November 20, 2008
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