Sorrow, blame at shooter's appeal; Tearful mother of Jon W. Romano faults medication for son's actions at Columbia High.(Capital Region)

Byline: BOB GARDINIER - Staff Writer

ALBANY - The mother of imprisoned school shooter Jon W. Romano, now 19, broke down in tears Tuesday as she blamed prescribed psychiatric medication for causing her son to fire a shotgun at students in the halls of Columbia High School three years ago.

Lorraine Barde bought the 12-gauge shotgun for her son - who was on medication for a psychiatric problem - two days before the Feb. 9, 2004, incident. One teacher was shot in the leg as another faculty member tackled Romano to end the incident. No students were injured.

Barde, who has rarely spoken publicly about her son, said she is haunted by the fact that she …