Parents Keep Memorial Cabinet of Items for Daughter Killed in 2006 Amish School Shooting

Naomi Rose Ebersol was 7 years old when she was killed on October 2, 2006, during a shooting at an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. Twenty years later, her parents, Amos and Kate, still maintain a cabinet filled with memorabilia honoring their daughter. Inside, they keep toys, flowers, cards, and mugs bearing Naomi’s name, alongside a model Pennsylvania State Police car given to them by the trooper who carried her body from the schoolhouse that day.

The tragedy occurred at a small schoolhouse off White Oak Road in Lancaster County, where five girls were shot and killed, and several others were injured. Another survivor, Rosanna King, passed away in 2024 at the age of 23. The schoolhouse was demolished 10 days after the incident, and the Ebersols planted five trees along the fence line where it once stood. Today, the site is largely unrecognizable, though the memory of the event remains deeply etched in the community.

Kate Ebersol described Naomi as “sweetly shy,” noting that she was timid around strangers but comfortable with family, especially her five brothers. Naomi loved being around the boys and was known for her easygoing nature and love of singing. The Ebersols have chosen to focus on the positive aspects of their daughter’s life rather than dwell on the details of the shooting.

The family prefers not to discuss the event in depth, instead emphasizing how they have found ways to cope and honor Naomi’s memory. Their approach reflects a broader Anabaptist emphasis on forgiveness and compassion, values central to the Amish community. The incident has also prompted ongoing discussions about safety, community resilience, and the importance of remembering those who have been lost.

The tragedy at Nickel Mines remains a significant moment in Pennsylvania’s history, marking the state’s deadliest school shooting. The Ebersols’ continued remembrance of Naomi underscores the enduring impact of such events on individuals and communities. Their story highlights the complex interplay between grief, healing, and the pursuit of peace, themes that resonate with the teachings of the Bible, particularly Micah 6:8, which calls for acts of mercy and justice.

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