On the same day as a horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, officials at a California institution found a loaded gun stashed in a 2nd grader‘s desk.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at Sacramento’s Edward Kemble Elementary School. Students informed school officials that one of their classmates had brought a weapon to school that day.
Upon searching the 2nd grader’s desk, a gun with a loaded magazine was found. Staff resultingly contacted police, “who secured the weapon and opened an investigation.”
“We are grateful that this incident did not result in a tragedy such as those that districts have experienced, including today’s tragic and senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas,” the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) said in a statement. “This is due in large part to the bravery and awareness of the students who came forward and alerted staff at Kemble today.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also spoke on the incident via Twitter.
“I am so thankful for the brave students at Edward Kemble Elementary who had the courage to speak up, preventing what could have been a more tragic day,” he wrote.
I am so thankful for the brave students at Edward Kemble Elementary who had the courage to speak up, preventing what could have been a more tragic day. Students and teachers should not have to be on high alert. https://t.co/HZ3EoY7pNN
— @mayor_Steinberg (@Mayor_Steinberg) May 25, 2022
Parents also expressed concerns over sending their kids back to school while speaking to KCRA on Wednesday.
“Due to him looking at me in my eye and telling me ‘I don’t feel safe,’ that did not sit well with me,” one parent named Noel said. “I couldn’t go on with the rest of my day without being here, so he’ll know Daddy’s here, and he’ll be OK.”
The concerned father proceeded to wait in his car outside the school for the duration of the day to assure that his son was safe.
“We need to start banning assault rifles,” Noel added. “Ban assault rifles. Do thorough background checks on everybody and run their social media profile.”
“It’s pretty scary to know that kids are so able to get ahold of firearms and just bring them so willingly to school,” another parent named Michelle Miller noted.
Javier Delvalle told FOX40, as a parent of a kindergartener at Kemble Elementary, said what happened at his child’s school is unacceptable.
“Makes me not want to bring my daughter to school anymore,” Delvalle said.
The Sacramento Police Department is actively investigating the matter and looking into how the young child accessed the firearm in the first place.
