Officials: Students' Safety A Top Priority After 2 Guns Found On Property
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Two people were arrested after two handguns were found at a local high school Monday.
Propel Braddock Hills High School was on lockdown for more than an hour.
Nobody was injured and school officials say students' safety is a top priority.
Today, Propel Braddock Hills Schools were closed.
Authorities say a .40-caliber gun was found inside 18-year-old Shaquir Gilmore's backpack, which was inside the school.
Another gun was found outside of the school on a 17-year-old juvenile.
It was around 2:30 p.m. when the charter school was put on lockdown.
"It was scary and while we were in there, we were all really scared and me and my friend were holding each other," one student said.
Last night, school officials said they would meet Tuesday to discuss future safety plans.
KDKA-TV's Christine D'Antonio went to the Propel Schools Headquarters on the South Side today to try and speak with administrators about the specific types of safety precautions they plan on implementing after this incident.
Officials locked the door and asked D'Antonio to leave the property.
This morning school officials released the following statement:
"As we reflect upon yesterday's isolated incident at Propel Braddock Hills High School, we are grateful that students, faculty and staff are safe. Families choose to send their students to Propel Schools because of our culture of safety and dignity. We will continue to review and update policies and exercises that are in the very best interest of student safety, at all times and on all campuses."
Some parents were frustrated by the communication they say the school gave about the situation.
"They said the school was on lockdown, but they didn't say why," one parent said. "A lot of stuff goes through my mind, but the main thing I thought it was a bomb threat, gun violence - a lot of stuff when through my mind."
"From what we have right now, our Alert Now System seems to work pretty good. That's our best outlet to communicate with parents in such a situation," Propel Director of Communications Richard Snyder said.
Today, Gilmore's father apologized to the Propel School and said his son isn't a bad kid, but made a mistake.
It's unclear if the 17-year-old who, according to the criminal complaint, was the student who initially brought the guns to school, will be charged as an adult.
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