Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (4)
Mother brings guns into Round Hill school
A parent brought three guns into Round Hill Elementary School early May 13, authorities said.
Deputies were sent to the western Loudoun school at around 9:30 a.m. after school officials reported that a woman was acting "erratically," authorities said. The 45-year-old Round Hill woman, who authorities are not identifying, told the deputies she had the guns in her purse.
"At no time did a student see the guns," said Loudoun schools spokesman Wayde Byard. “And at no time did a teacher see the guns.” He said no one was threatened by the woman.
Byard said the woman, a mother of a student at the school, called the school at about 8:45 to request a meeting with staff. She arrived at the school 20 minutes later and announced herself through a security video phone. Byard said staff recognized her and “buzzed” her into the building.
While speaking with Round Hill Elementary assistant principal Kirsten O'Hara, the woman became "agitated," Byard said. Staff then called the Sheriff's Office. Two deputies went to the school and found the guns.
"They did everything they were supposed to do," Byard said of the school staff's actions.
After a mental evaluation, authorities took the woman to the Inova Loudoun Medical Campus in Leesburg on a temporary detention order, according to the Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney are reviewing the case, and charges are pending.
Byard would not comment on if the woman has been involved in similar incidents at the school in the past.
Way to go Mr. Burke & Mr. Hatrick!!! How much of our tax money have you spent putting these "buzzers" in our schools? Served us real good don't you think? Luckily no one was killed! It could have been a real catastrophe but I'm sure the "buzzer" would have survived!
Posted by LC_Tax_Payer
Report Offensive Content
Just a few items to ponder:
1. How come a lock down did not occur?
Emerick was in a lock down state when the tragic Nichols event happened and that was not even on school property.
2. Why is the mother's name not being released?
3. Are we to assume it is acceptable to carry loaded guns in a school as long as they are not showing?
This mother should be tried to the fullest extent of the law. No mental plea. How safe do you think her own children are? Let's get tough. If a student brought loaded weapons to school how lenient would the school system be?
Posted by Purcellvilleishome
Report Offensive Content
So let's say we install better cameras, train the staff to identify threats better, etc. What prevents a teacher, or janitor, or contractor from doing the same thing this mother did? Nothing. You have to trust people at some point for any system to work.
But for the sake of argument, let's say that we achieve perfect security at the school. (By the way, what would the cost be in terms of money and freedoms?) What prevents someone with a gun from jumping on a school bus as kids are getting on? Or someone with a gun following the principal home after school? Nothing.
Often times our desires for stricter laws and tougher punishments are a reaction to our feelings of fear and helplessness. The bottom line is, we ARE helpless to some degree - that's just the way life is. Laws cannot change a person's heart, which is where all of these problems start in the first place. (This is one of the major truths taught in the Bible, by the way.)
I must say, all things considered, homeschooling is looking more and more attractive these days. It's cheaper, safer, the class size is smaller, and you get to see your children more. Something to think about.
Posted by LlN12hAt
Report Offensive Content
The bottom line is that bringing a gun onto school property is a federal offense. She should be prosecuted or treated. We don't need more laws, rules or knee jerk reactions. What we need is cool headed common sense.
I happen to think, based on what I know about events, is that the school acted well to keep our children safe. They should use this opportunity to review and update their procedures.
We can't protect our beloved little ones from everything but we can make common sense decisions about what to do in events like these without curtailing freedom or scaring our children unnecessarily.
I think we should have more information to to quell the rampant rumors though. My main concern is that the woman is either being charged or treated. I do not want her to continue to be a risk to herself, her family or the community. I think we should press for more information that will ease the minds of all parents concerned.
v/r
Posted by Vile
Report Offensive Content
You must be logged in to post a comment.