Placerville School Principal Shot And Killed, Suspect Arrested

February 2, 2011 4:11 PM

John Luebbers

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PLACERVILLE (CBS13) – A school principal died Wednesday after being shot by on in his office by a school janitor, according to police.

Louisiana Schnell Principal Sam LaCara, 50, was fatally shot in the upper torso just before 10:45 a.m. by 44-year-old John H. Luebbers, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department.

A student may have witnessed the shooting, but did not suffer any physical injuries.

Luebbers allegedly fled the campus before authorities locked down the school and was located less than an hour later at his home on Skycrest Drive in El Dorado. Heavily armed officers frisked the suspect and took him into custody without incident.

suspect Placerville School Principal Shot And Killed, Suspect Arrested

School schooting suspect John Luebbers is frisked outside his home. (credit: CBS)

The Placerville Police Department said LaCara was pronounced dead at Marshall Hospital at 11:16 a.m.

LaCara’s wife, rushing to get to the hospital, was pulled over for speeding by CHP on Highway 50. She told the officer her husband had been shot and was driven to the hospital in a CHP unit.

Anxious parents lined up at the school to collect their children as the news of the shooting spread.

RAW: Parent Reacts To Shooting At School

“The kids, I guess they are safe. I believe my son is safe. But I don’t know what he’s thinking,” said parent Stephanie Rael. “How do you go back to school? How do you go back to school when something really bad has happened?”

Some parents shared stories of unpleasant encounters with the suspect.

“My son is scared of him,” said parent Sharon Neu. “He (Luebbers) and I actually had some words one time and I didn’t appreciate his reaction….He’s not a very friendly man. And he did not make the school very friendly to be at.”

RAW: Parent Says Custodian Was Not A Friendly Man

The Placerville Union School District announced that Louisiana Schnell School, Markham Middle School and Sierra Elementary will be closed Thursday. Classes are scheduled to continue on Friday with counselors and grief support services available for students.

Placerville School Principal Shot And Killed, Suspect Arrested

chris

I think the reason why the sheriff dept. was 20mins late after news13 got there is because they need time to plan accordingly. get their team together and set up a plan to surround his house. it wouldn’t be professional if one cop got to the home first and the suspect took off.
jeannie

Being a long time resident of Placerville, I just felt compelled on channel 13s reporting of the shooting of a beloved educator. First of all “you” question the actions of the El Dodado sheriffs dept to search the surrounding areas including the widely used walking trail before your crews witnessed police arrive at the suspects home. According to your own reporting police had a statement from a witness the suspect went toward the walking trail. I, for one, am proud of the way our officers kept everyone, students, faculty and residents safe. Instead of questioning difficult decisions made by our law enforcement I would like to thank our officers for putting themselves in harms way to protect us. Good job and thank you! I witnessed a lot of slanted and biased reporting today by channel 13 KOVR. I watched many different teams cover this story today and was very disappointed, though not surprised with your tems approach toward the negative in an already extremely difficujt and sad event. I guess, no,I know that is why I perfer other stations coverage. If I feel this way and take the time to state it how many others feel the same way, keep silent and just change the channel? All that being said, my thoughts and prayers go out to family.
L. Smith

I enjoy getting my news from CBS13 but was very disappointed in hearing the news media making comment about the “slow response” made by the sheriff.

Approaching an armed suspect’s home without preparing is just a risk of more lives. Don’t you think we have lost enough officers in the line of duty this year already?
Shame on you CBS 13 for making the public think that the El Dorado Sheriff didn’t do their job. They did a wonderful job and the suspect was taken in without further incident.
Thank you to all law enforcement officers for all you do!
Nicole

This has nothing to with beliefs, the sheriff taking awhile or the fact that the janitor was mean. It has to do with a family that has lost their father and husband. Let’s not think of our own feelings and think of this family.
Carolyn

My heart goes out to ” both” familys. Don’t forget John has a family also. They didn’t ask for this. Especially when John & Sam were personal friends also. Remember they played golf together on Saturday. At this point only John knows what the problem was at the time between the two of them, and maybe the unfortuntale 4th grader that was there.
AH

Please proof your comments before you post. Take a moment to check your grammar and spelling. If you’re attempting a tribute to Mr. Lacara and the outstanding education guided by Louisiana Schnell School, then please take time to write a clear message. Then perhaps we who read about your experiences, observations and opinions can find your comments to be of value. To help those who read these comments to understand your viewpoint. Keep safe, respect and honor each other.
Tedd

CBS 13 News needs to act more responsibly in their journalism. Tonight’s “story” of your reporters harassing the accused family was horrendous. If people want to be left alone, RESPECT THAT! Another great example of small city wannabe reporting. Not to mention your anchor stating the accused was a “bad man”. How do you really know that? Of course this is a terrible thing, but you are supposed to be journalists, you are not supposed to judge. Amateur CBS 13, amateur.