The parents of a Farragut High School student who took his own life in April 2017 are suing Knox County Schools, the board of education and the county, according to a lawsuit filed in Knox County last month.
Representing Candace and Mark Bannister, attorney Herbert S. Moncier filed the lawsuit in April. According to the lawsuit, their son Andrew "Will" Williams Bannister was a 16-year-old sophomore when he shot himself in the head at home April 17, 2017.
The lawsuit accuses administrators of often treating Will differently for his "perceived gender and sexual orientation, and his support of LGBT rights" and accuses school officials of harassment, intimidation, and bullying of students.
The suit outlines a series of events where the parents claim Will was singled out for punishment, even when they claim other students were involved.
In one case, Will was suspended and sent to alternative school for a time for buying diet pills from another student. The parents and their attorney say the student who sold Will the pills was never even questioned.
He received a suspension of 100 days that later was sharply modified by then Superintendent Buzz Thomas.
Will was allowed to go back to Farragut High School in March 2017.
He'd received assurances from school personnel that he'd have a "clean slate" on his return back. However, the boy came to think based on how he was treated that that wasn't going to be true.
"Will did not have a clean slate upon returning to FHS," the lawsuit states.
The suit also said Will was given a writing assignment called "Is your life a comedy or tragedy" just days before he died. The parents claimed Will's response indicated his "intent to end his life," but the suit claims the school did nothing to step in and prevent it.
Will wrote, "Probably a tragedy because I have many flaws that will eventually be the end of me. The tragedy that might be the end of me, like selfishness or other things like that ... Ridin round bein selfish and not thinking of others. I'm scared for myself that I might do something actually harmful for others ... I really messed up. There's not way I'm gonna finish."
The parents are seeking $2 million in damages and a jury trial. The defendants listed are Knox County Schools, the Board of Education and Knox County itself.
The Knox County Law Director's Office filed a motion earlier this month to move the suit to federal court.
A spokesperson for Knox County Schools said in a text to WBIR 10News that they had received a copy of the complaint, but were "unable to comment on pending litigation." She said they are reviewing it and a "response if forthcoming."
In 2017, a then-junior at FHS had filed a change.org petition that had 2,621 supporters a day after the death of Will. The student claimed Will and at least one other sophomore at the school had taken their lives, and that the school had 'swept it under the rug.'
In May 2017, WBIR 10News reported on parents being concerned following a string of suicides at Knox County Schools in light of a Netflix series called "13 Reasons Why." KCS said at the time they do not track the number of suicides in the school system.
"It’s a public health issue that Knox County Schools takes very seriously. Our No. 1 concern is for the students, and we have been working with experts to help guide us as we provide support to all impacted," KCS Superintendent Bob Thomas said in 2017.
Warning signs from the Suicide Prevent Network: Previous attempts, verbal threats, behavior or appearance changes, and isolation
Suicide Prevention Resources
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Crisis Text Line: Text TN to 741741 if you're struggling with thoughts of suicide.
Additionally, the peer recovery call center is available in East Tennessee, where those who answer the hotline are have first-hand experience in the area.
"They know exactly what a caller is going through because they've gone through it themselves," said Ben Harrington, CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee.
The center can be reached at 1-865-584-9125 between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lifeline Crisis Chat: Chat online with a specialist who can provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services www.crisischat.org/