In the most serious incident, a bullet whizzed through a kindergarten classroom at XXXXX Elementary School on Friday morning, pierced a door, ricocheted around a restroom and landed in a toilet.
Catherine Draine was opening the window blinds when she heard what sounded like a brick hitting the window and noticed a hole "not even an arm's width away" from her.
She quickly rushed her pupils to safety.
Sheriff's deputies arrested a 15-year-old boy, charging him with reckless conduct and carrying a weapon within a school safety zone.
More charges could be placed on the teenager, who was at home because of a school suspension when he began taking target practice with a rifle. One of the stray bullets entered Mrs. Draine's classroom.
"I'm not sure who would be target practicing in their backyard," Investigator Ben Parrish said.
The teen, who was being held at the Regional Youth Detention Center on Friday afternoon, lives at a house backing up to the Jackson Road school.
"Right now, I feel much better knowing the kids are safe," Mrs. Draine said.
The school went on lockdown as a precaution.
~From the Local Newspaper
The crime affecting the youngest students, happened at XXXXX Elementary School around 8:30 this morning. That's off Jackson Road near Wrightsboro Road. Investigators say a bullet came through the window right in front of the first row of students.
It's not the image most parents have of their kindergartner's first Christmas party; a bullet through a classroom window at XXXXX Elementary. Principal Dr. Anita Evans says, ending the celebration before it ever began. "They're looking forward to exchanging gifts and their Christmas holiday but unfortunately, this is the way we started our day."
After piercing the window and blinds, investigators say the bullet went across the classroom and into a bathroom right by the teacher's desk. They found the bullet in the toilet.
No one was hurt.
While investigators were on the scene, they heard another gunshot from a neighboring house. That's where they found the 15-year-old juvenile, reportedly firing his grandfather's rifle.
The teenager says he didn't know he hit the school.
A close call for a lot of students and Dr. Evans says her school is counting their blessings. "It's a Christmas blessing and that's why we're so happy that every body's safe. Sorry that it happened, but thankful everybody is safe."
Now, Dr. Evans told News 12 she sent letters home to tell parents about the incident. But we've heard from several parents who say this isn't the case. And they tell News 12 they are very upset about how the school handled the situation. Many saying they weren't notified at all until they saw our Five O'clock news and they don't feel like that is acceptable and they plan to contact the school board.
~From Local News Station
Luckily no one was hurt, but this was VERY close to home as I teach in the classroom across the hall from where this happened. Not the best way to start off the Holiday vacation.
1 comment:
OMG!! This is the first that I've heard of this. That is awful! I bet the rest of the day was upside down. So, did the principal really send letters home or not????
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