Logan Cole greeted by capacity crowd at WL-Salem game
ABOVE: Logan Cole, second from left, is surrounded by students from West Liberty-Salem and Triad as they pose for pictures before the start of the varsity basketball game against Triad on Friday at WL-Salem High School. BELOW: School board member Pat Adams, left, honors Logan Cole with a plaque on behalf of the WL-Salem School Board for his act of heroism on Jan. 20. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | AARON LABATT)
A capacity crowd sporting their black and orange “Cole’s Pack” T-shirts honored the 16-year-old survivor with a standing ovation and thunderous applause as je walked onto the court prior to West Liberty-Salem’s final home basketball game Friday night.
Logan Cole made his way back to school less than a month after the Jan. 20 shooting that shocked the community. He returned to classes Monday after several weeks and surgical procedures at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
Logan was shot after walking into a school restroom as his 17-year-old schoolmate Ely Serna was loading a shotgun to carry out a school shooting. The shooter, however, reportedly lost his heart for his plot after Logan, who lay injured on the restroom floor, convinced him to turn himself in without causing further suffering.
West Liberty-Salem School Board member Patrick Adams honored Logan with a plaque and commended him for his bravery during the incident.
Logan’s father, Ryan Cole, also spoke and tearfully thanked the community for support and prayers in their time of need.
Ely Serna is charged in juvenile court with attempted murder, felonious assault and other offenses. He has denied the charges and is awaiting a competency evaluation.
