West Liberty school shooting victim meets vice president

The teenager said meeting Pence was an experience of a lifetime.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Logan said. “It’s amazing and overwhelming.

“I don’t have any words for it. It’s crazy. Somebody that is that important.”

Logan was seen mouthing the word “wow” to his parents after meeting Pence. He said after the president finished his speech he was allowed to go behind scenes to talk with him.

“They had us lined up waiting for him and some people — firefighters and people who serve in the Air Force — went up and shook his hand and then I went up last,” Logan said of his experience meeting the vice president. “I shook his hand.”

Logan said he was surprised to find out that Pence already knew who he was.

“He knew me and knew of my story,” he said. “And he thanked me for it.”

MORE: West Liberty school shooting victim Logan Cole returns to school

Police said Logan was in the bathroom on Jan. 20 at the high school when he was shot twice with a shotgun by Ely Serna. While laying on the bathroom floor, authorities said Logan asked Ely not to hurt anyone else. He also refused to kill Ely when the alleged shooter turned the gun on himself and asked Logan to pull the trigger, police said.

On top of all that, since the shooting Logan and his family have preached forgiveness. Logan was allowed to bring his younger brother and sisters with him to meet the vice president Saturday.

“He signed my Bible for me,” Logan said of Pence. “He just said pretty much ‘thank you for what you have done’ and said I was courageous,”

The meeting may have been extra special because it was a surprise to the teenager. The secret service asked media not to report on the meeting between the two prior to them meeting, and his family kept secret away from him all the way to the air force base.

“I woke up and my parents gave me some really nice clothes and said we are leaving at 12,” Logan said. “They didn’t even tell me how far away it was or anything.”

He said he figured out he might be meeting Pence when they arrived at the air force base.

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“My dad had to actually tell me that I was meeting him,” he said. “I just thought that it was something just coming here and seeing him speak and the fact that I actually got to meet him … I was very surprised.”

Along with meeting the vice president, the secret service also honored Logan. The secret service set up the meeting with Pence and then presented Cole with a certificate celebrating his courage.

“It has some very nice things on it,” Cole said.

He said he was honored to be recognized.

Logan’s Life

Logan said since the shooting his life has changed.

The West Liberty community along with the rest of Champaign County and many schools from Southwest Ohio showed support to the teenager right after the shooting. And those well wishes and thoughts have not stopped.

“I feel like when I am out-and-about to a store or something people will say hello to me,” Logan said.

“They always say ‘you don’t know me but,’ and then just kind of go on,” Logan said. “I think it’s pretty cool that my story has spread to many people.”

Forgiveness has been the theme of what Logan and his family have said over the past five months. Logan’s father, Ryan Cole, said days after the shooting that he wanted the community to support Serna’s family as well as his own as they were going through a difficult time too.

>>MORE: VICTIM'S FAMILY: God has a purpose

“We are thankful for the Lord’s protective hand on our son,” Ryan Cole said. “We are also grateful for the outpouring of support from our family, friends, and community. We would like to ask for continued prayers for Logan. Also, we’d like to encourage prayer for the community, the other student, and his family. We are certain they have been deeply hurt as well. We are confident that God has a purpose and plan through this tragedy.”

The family has said their Christian faith has helped lead them through the ordeal.

Serna ruling expected soon

The case against Logan’s alleged shooter could see a major ruling handed down this week.

Serna faces numerous charges, including two counts of attempted murder; three counts of felonious assault; six counts of improperly discharging a firearm; and single counts of inducing panic and illegal conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school.

>>PREVIOUS REPORTING: Defense wants hearing closed for accused West Liberty shooter

Along with Logan Cole, another student was shot at the high school. However, he was only struck with one pellet, according to police, and did not report being struck until later that night after he changed clothes.

Champaign County Prosecutors have asked the court to allow them to try Serna as an adult in the case. However, before making that ruling the Champaign County Juvenile Judge Lori Reisinger ordered a competency hearing in the case at the request of Serna’s attorney.

The state did not object to the hearing. Serna was reportedly evaluated by at least two psychologist to determine if he would be would be able to understand the court proceedings and help in his own defense. The competency hearing was held this month. The media was not allowed to cover any testimony by the psychologist.

Reisinger took the case under advisement at the time and said she would make a ruling within 15 days.

Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi told the Springfield News-Sun last week that he had not seen an order yet. Monday will be the 15th business day since the competency hearing and therefore a ruling should be handed down soon.