Alleged Chardon High School gunman grew up in troubled family hit by divorce, violence

CHARDON, Ohio - A Scripps station's investigation into the life of the alleged teen gunman at Chardon High School reveals a family life disrupted by divorce and violence.

Geauga County Common Pleas Court records show the parents of Thomas "TJ" Lane III divorced in March 2002.

One month later, in April 2002, Lane's father, Thomas M. Lane Jr. was issued an indictment charging him with felonious assault, kidnapping and disrupting public service.

The summons was sent to the same address on Wilder Road in Chardon, Ohio that was searched by police early Monday. Lane does not own the property but records indicate it is owned by a family member.

Three months after the charges in 2002, Lane was charged with violating a temporary restraining order.

That August, Lane was charged with attempted murder and a court order was issued prohibiting contact with his wife other than visitation with his children.

Then in October of 2002, Lane struck a plea deal and was sentenced on the assault and disruption charges, but the kidnapping charge was reduced to unlawful restraint and the attempted murder charge was eventually dropped.

Lane was sentenced to four years in prison, but was released just nine months later in July, 2003.

Thomas Lane III was arrested Monday for opening fire in the cafeteria at Chardon High School. Sixteen-year-old Daniel Parmertor was killed and four others were injured.

The shooting remains under investigation.