What a horrible tragedy. My heart goes out to this young boy's family.

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Our family is deeply saddened by this news. Our son was an aquaintance of this boy, only knew him through other kids but has been distraught over this news. Those of you who know the details of this know that there is more than one victim here and this little girl will be marred forever with this memory. Facebook is totally full of rememberances for Joey and today all of the kids at PMS wore purple in his memory. I've been talking to my son since yesterday and he couldn't sleep or eat. Keep watch over your kids, if you don't have their username or password for Facebook you need it and you need to see what everyone is posting there. At this age it is not compromising their privacy and FB is anything but private. Obviously this boy was in incredible pain and distress and feeling all was lost and hopeless. We cannot walk in his shoes or know what was going on with him and not knowing his situation cannot judge those around him. It is not the school district's fault that this child had emotional problems, and if there were people close to him that could have helped him and didn't, or tried and failed it's not really up to us to judge as strangers. Our family wishes him peace with the Lord and peace to those friends of his here on earth as well as his family all who will need strength. Please know that there are dozens of kids in pain right now over this; talk to them.

Too many jumping to conclusions, and you don't know the history.


This is a tragedy.... But is not caused by the PUSD.


Thank God the district still has counselors to help all children at a moment's notice.

Well done PUSD for immediately placing counselors in schools to be available to all.


To the family, friends, teachers and classmates of this student - my prayers go out to all of you.

Parents - take care of your children. Don't wait for someone else to make a difference.....

[Portion removed] This is tragic.

To "Concerned":

You truly don't know the background.

I pray for the child and the family.

We too would like to commend the PUSD in how they handled this tragic situation. My 8th grader knew Joey and has been impacted by this horrible event. Finger pointing does no one any good at this point, but an evaluation of what lead up to Joey's death might reveal steps that can help another troubled teen. Unfortunatly, what happened with Joey is all too common with teens in this day and age.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff for containing unverified or personal information.) How could PUSD had detered Joey if he had made a different decison and taken the gun to school?

First off, I am very sorry to hear that things got bad enough for this young man that he felt he needed to take his own life. That is something that should never happen. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
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Hugs your kids tonight and tell them you love them. And tell them to TALK to you. No matter how bad it gets, things should never reach this point.

(Post removed by Pleasanton Weekly Online staff for containing unverified or personal information.)

Now is not the time to speculate or argue. I am sorry for the victim and his family.

I too am very sorry for the victim and all those close to him.

I didn't know Joey personally, in fact I had a grudge on him for quite some time. He had said a few very hurtful things to me, but this isn't what i'm commenting about. I want to say the time I saw Joey around Harvest park middle school will never be duplicated by anyone. He had his own personality. A type many loved. As being a 7th grade guy at School right now, It's difficult thinking about death this early. I would once in a while think what Joey would be doing at that moment.

Over the past couple days, people at school are knock me around because I said a few things about him on facebook that some did not like; I was in a negative state at the time because I was thinking about the bad Joey, and his negative side. But I don't think anyone will ever understand that. I've been pushed around by his closessed friends and even yelled and cussed out at. But the thing they won't understand is I hope for Peace in a better world for Joey.

- Ian

We all need to love each other more...notice each other more...call out to God to give us strengh to love more.

I'm so heart broken. Not only for the young man, his family, girlfriend,
peers and my own son etc... But for the community! What is happening to these young children? Why do they feel that is the only way to cope? As a parent of a son whom was friends of the young man, I just cannot express how much you NEED to listen to your kids. Talk to them, Love them and BE SURE THEY KNOW THAT! I am very sorry for the families loss and I can not even imagine what they are going through. It has affected us at home as well. I have never had my son open up to me the way he did last night or just want to hang out and talk. He's very upset, has shed some tears and is confused. I can only pray that this young man is now at peace with NO MORE pain, anger, fear whatever it was that he was going through. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family

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I knew Joey Ferrara....he was a great kid. Today at my school we had "Wear purple for Joey" day in honor of him. I was good friends with him in 6th grade, and everyone at Hart middle school is very sad that joey has died. I wish he was still here....he was a great friend.....

I went to school with him and he would just light up the school with joy.... He was the kid to be around the one to hang out with. but most importantly he was a kid who was just like any other kid with choices on what to do and how to deal with it. But if he knew that we are all upset and crying everyday at school and supporting him I don't think that he would have done it in the first place.

[Portion removed because of speculation and / or personal information] I know that everyone middle schooler and some high schoolers will miss him very much. He was like a celebrity around Pleasanton. You could walk downtown and there he was with his friends, just having a good time. Let's not focus on how it happened, lets just focus on him, and his life, and all the people that love him. Rest in peace Joey. <3 I hope you're looking down upon us and seeing how much we all care for you. Never forget us. <3

He went to opportunity which is the middle school vesion of village it is located in next too village. he was in seventh grade. rip joey

joey was an amazing kid, he went to my school at the beginning of of his 7th grade. im in eighth grade and he was friends with many people, every middle/high school. he had some hard times, but this is just heart breaking to see one of our friends go so suddenly. he is in a better place now. and there is no doubt about it. he was a shining star. he is still. i love this kid so much. if only he could see how much people cared and loved him... rest in peace joseph, rest in peace...

@Joeys friend, a member of the Fairlands Elementary School

Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get

half the school was crying today . half the school wore purple for you . there where too many tears, that for this week they changed the library into the counseling office, filled with sobbing students . we love you joey, rest in peace.

and btw none of you guys no the entire story . joey suffered... with little love ever in his life .

Joey Ferrera. He is truly missed. Everyone mourns for him. For how loving,strong,caring, and kind he was. He was an amazing person. I really look up to him. I hope hes in a happy place.He really deserves it. Im sad for his family and for everyone who cared and loved Joey :)[Portion removed because of speculation and / or personal information.] How he stayed strong. How he loved . Joey Ferrera you will always be loved:)

I hate the "facts" about opportunity. I happen to go there and it is not a special school for middle school students who need additional tutoring and counseling, it's a continuation school for people who get expelled/kicked out of PMS, Hart, or Harvest park. Get your facts straight.

NOTE: Comments must be respectful, constructive and appropriate in accord with the standards established for the Pleasanton Weekly Town Square forum, or they will be removed.

[Portion removed] It is such a sad tragic situation.

My prayers go out to his family, his friends, and anyone who was a part of his life at some point.

It is a sad day for the community.

I think many are jumping to conclusions about Joey that are unfounded at this time. He was always very respectful to me when ever he needed to cross my intersection, where I am a crossing guard. This school year I have seen him a couple of times and he told me he was going to Village. I told him that was good. I see many students on a daily basis and Joey always seemed more mature in his appearance than a lot of his peers. Sometimes that in itself can create problems for some, like being shorter or taller can. I am sure that the loss his family is experiencing is devastating. At this point in time, for all we know this could have been an accident, we just do not know. These type things are happening in all community's & I can assure you the mental health organizations are aware of this. He is in a better place now & we need to all cherish the memory of him

To Ian-

That is very big of you to put those things behind you and look at the good in Joey.

Please talk with someone about what you are feeling and going through right now. There are people that understand!

Bob Larson,

Is that really your response to a kids post about losing his friend?

You are rude! Grow up.

@Joey's Friend- We are all very sad for your loss.

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This is truly a sad and tragic event that will haunt many of us for years to come. My heart goes out to the family of this poor child. [portion removed]

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My heart goes out to Joey's family and all of you kids trying to deal with your loss and pain.

Posts here have been edited, and posting limited to registered users only. While we welcome expressions of sympathy to the family, we will not allow comments that speculate as to reasons why someone committed suicide or about what was going on in his or her life.

A young life lost is extremely tragic and sad. This news breaks me up. I helped coach Joey in baseball a few seasons ago and every interaction with him was positive, he was respectful to every single teammate, opponent and coach. He loved the game and had a lot of joy when he was on the field. He was constantly positive and always wanted to contribute; a very good player. It sure was a pleasure having him on that team.

Just peripherally I was aware he faced challenges that the vast majority of Pleasanton kids do not; under the surface he was hardened and wise beyond his years. May God bless you in heaven, Joey. I will absolutely pray for him and his family.

Joey was an amazing, intelligent young man. He got a raw deal in life. He had very difficult challenging obstacles to overcome. Any friend or adult knows the truth about how he felt and what his life was like...he told everyone who would listen. Although saddened, I am not surprised. Children can only handle so much - they do their best with what life they are dealt. Adults and child welfare resources failed him. Keys to gun cabinets should not be left home when parents are away...Guns should not be in homes with troubled youth...RIP you are safe and at peace. Please feel our love. We are sorry you didn't feel it before.

I did not know this young man, but I do know the reaction of the majority of kids in Pleasanton has been amazing. Regardless of what his circumstances were and I do not know so I cannot judge but these kids all came together for what they beleived was the right thing to do. I am very proud of all of our kids here who showed heart & compassion to someone who is gone way too soon. His service is today and I know this day is going to be painful for all who knew him.

Hug your kids and be involved in their lives.

My daughter is a friend of Joey's and it pains me to see the tears from her loss. I am doing my best as a mother to offer her as much love and support as needed. I send my deepest love and faith to his family and friends along with those that were fortunate to share great memories in his life. I think some parents should remind their children about displaying acts of kindness and sensitivity towards a tragedy like this one. It's painful enough that children this age are dealing with death let alone being exposed to other children offering their rude and insensitive comments to continue hurting those that are already mourning. One fact exists: Joey was loved and will continue to be loved by many!!!