Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky)

BEREA—Encouraging news yesterday about the condition of a Kentucky woman who was injured in a law-school shooting spree produced widespread relief at Berea College.

Doctors said Stacey Beans, a Paducah native who graduated from Berea last year, is expected to make a full recovery after being shot Wednesday at the Appalachian School of Law in Grundy, Va.

“I’m hoping she will be able put this behind her,” said Thomas Bosch, an assistant professor of German at Berea. “She is the last person to deserve something like that.”

Beans, 22, was recovering from surgery at a Bristol, Tenn., hospital. The hospital issued a statement from Beans, who could be released within a week.

“I thank God I’m OK,” Beans said in the statement. “I want people to pray for the other victims and our friends and family.”

Beans’ friends at Berea described her as an upbeat student who was involved in several campus activities.

“She was very enthusiastic in whatever she did, and she was able to spread that to others,” Bosch said.

He said Beans helped re-establish a German club at the college after she studied in Munich one summer. She also spent a summer studying in London.

“She didn’t want to lose what she learned,” Bosch said. “She was always eager to learn.”

Beans was a member of the women’s chorus, swim team and president of the German Club. She also helped run a campaign for a Berea city council member and interned in the office of a local circuit judge.

Her swim coach, Bill Best, said Beans’ personality will be an asset in her recovery.

“Stacey was one of those who was never at a loss with an opinion,” Best said. “That’s why she’ll make a good lawyer someday.”

Lynn Patterson, a teammate on the swim team, said Beans, who was team captain, was a good leader.

“She really took care of us, and she made sure everyone felt like a part of the team,” said Patterson, a business administration junior from Knoxville, Tenn.

Beans is the stepdaughter of David Wrinkle, an assistant McCracken county attorney.

Attorneys around the McCracken County Courthouse who knew Beans described her as a bright and articulate woman who can’t wait to become a lawyer.

Bean’s sister, Stephanie Medley, of Paducah, said her sister had recently returned to the law school’s campus after the winter break and was excited about classes starting again.

She said the shooting shook the family, most of whom drove to Kingsport.

“I bawled and cried and prayed. I was almost in disbelief,” Medley said. “I can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt that girl.”

Appalachian School of Law Shootings

Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky)