Police Lock Down City School After Report Of Armed Suspect
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Authorities responded after a loaded semi-automatic handgun was found inside a Baltimore City school.
Calverton Elementary Middle School was placed on lockdown after police got a tip about the weapon.
Meghan McCorkell spoke with police and parents.
School police say the quick action of officers today may have prevented a tragedy.
Parents rush to Calverton Elementary Middle School after police find a loaded handgun inside the building.
"My daughter called me," said one parent.
"When I see all these cops here, yeah…it scares me. Like really, really scared to even take him now," said Cindy Lamar.
Some parents found out about it by getting text messages from their own kids.
John Blue says his daughter sent her a text saying, "Daddy can you pick me?" Blue says he then received a second text, "Somebody got a gun!"
School police were able to locate the student and confiscate the gun. Several people are now being questioned.
"Today further enhances the need for school police to be stationed in schools at all times and have all proper equipment to handle these situations as they come about," said Sgt. Clyde Boatwright, Baltimore City School Police.
School police officers have been lobbying to carry their service weapons inside city schools. City school police are the only officers in the state forbidden to carry weapons inside school facilities, but some say other security measures need to be taken.
"That's outrageous and they need to start having metal detectors to search them kids down because other kids is in danger," said one woman.
Others just want answers about what's being done now.
"What kind of precautions are they going to take to keep my niece safe in the school where she goes? It's supposed to be safe to bring your kids to school," saud Margaret Frazier.
No one was injured in today's incident.
In a statement-- school officials say one student is being detained. That student could face possible expulsion.
This morning, administrators at Calverton Elementary/Middle School notified Baltimore City School Police of a suspected weapon in the building. Officers quickly located and secured the weapon. The situation was brought under control promptly, and the safety of all members of the school community was assured.Providing safe, secure, and positive climates for teaching and learning is City Schools' top priority. Police have detained one student for questioning in this incident.Under City Schools' student Code of Conduct, a student who brings a weapon on school grounds faces the maximum consequences, including possible permanent expulsion.
A bill in the General Assembly that would allow Baltimore City school police to carry guns inside the schools has been scrapped for this legislative session.