Nicholas B. "Nick" Corwin was an American student at Hubbard Woods School who was murdered in his second grade classroom in Hubbard Woods School in Winnetka, Illinois.
Life
Corwin was born on April 9, 1980 to Joel and Linda Corwin. In school he was an athlete and known for his sportsmanship and skill.
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” for the prosperous community along Chicago’s North Shore, which hadn’t 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.. 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. Corwin is the namesake of a popular soccer field and playground in Winnetka. 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 Shortly after his death, playing on the meaning of his name his friends and schoolmates created a book, The Gifts that Nicholas Gave. He was remembered for his sportsmanship, kindness, and leadership. Classmates remember Corwin for his exemplary play. One told a reporter that the kids would not be able to play fairly, because Nick was the one who knew all the rules. He is interred at Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois. Following his death, Winnetka passed a handgun ban, which stood until D.C. vs Heller and subsequent NRA lawsuits.
