NewsChannel5's Amy Watson, Kentucky native, chokes up on air about school shootings

NewsChannel5 morning show anchor Amy Watson -- a Kentucky native -- got emotional Wednesday morning when talking about the school shootings Tuesday at the Marshall County high school.

Two people died and 17 others were injured, and a 15-year-old student suspected of pulling the trigger is in custody in Benton, Ky., authorities said.

Around 6:40 a.m., Watson, voice quivering at times, told viewers she knows teachers at the school and some parents of students who go there.

Watson, who grew up in Murray, Ky., said her high school used to play Marshall County in sports.

The anchor also said the story affects all parents who fear for the safety of their children at school.

"We have no control," she said.

Watson's voice broke and her eyes filled with tears when she said she woke up her 16-year-old daughter at 2 a.m. Wednesday to kiss and hug her before Watson came to work.

Co-anchor Nick Beres reached out to touch her arm.

"She's tearing up and it surprised me, and I wanted to comfort her," Beres said in a phone interview. "That was real emotion for her."

In an interview afterward, Watson said, "Because I am so close to this, I just wanted to talk. It just kind of streamed out."

In 1997, Watson worked as a TV anchor in Paducah, Ky., where a school shooting left three students dead. Watson was the first media personality to speak with all six parents.

"I think I have some repressed feelings from then, honestly," she said. "It came out again yesterday."

Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@tennessean.com or 615-259-8384 or on Twitter @bradschmitt.