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CMS, CMPD investigating after gun, box cutter brought to elementary school

By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com
By Tina Terry, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is investigating after a gun and a box cutter were found on two separate students at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School Thursday.

Patty Uribe has a student at the school and received a call Thursday about the weapons on campus.

"I never would have thought that I'd get a phone call at 4:30 p.m. that this would have happened during the day," Uribe said.

School officials told Channel 9 that a staff member was told a student brought a gun to school and when that student was searched, the gun was found. Officials have not said if the gun was loaded.

The box cutter was found in another student’s backpack.

The principal said no one was threatened or injured.

Police were called to the school to investigate. They're trying to figure out why the students brought the weapons on campus.

Uribe said that answer would help parents.

"Any information they could share with us to help us help them would be important," Uribe said.

The ages and grade level of the students was not released.

Channel 9 searched CMPD records and found two other reports of juveniles with knives on the elementary school campus. One in early October, the other in early November.

"Until you told me that today, I didn't know this happened earlier in the school year,” Uribe said.

Below is the message sent to parents of students at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary.

"Good afternoon parents, this is Ms. Rodd, the principal of Huntingtowne Farms Elementary. I am calling to let you know of an incident that occurred on our campus today. Staff was informed that a student brought a gun to school.  We identified the student, searched his/her personal belongings and found a gun. Upon further investigation, a box cutter was discovered in another student’s backpack. Law enforcement was notified immediately and they are conducting an investigation. No one was injured or threatened.

"I want to assure you that I am committed to providing a safe learning environment for your child.  Safety is my top priority and I take all incidents seriously. Throughout the year, I will keep you informed of situations and provide accurate information when incidents happen at our school.

"I encourage you to talk to your child about the seriousness of this incident and the importance of sharing with any administrator, teacher or staff person any situation that violates school conduct. Please inform your child of the consequences that go along with this, which can be found in your Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook."

Channel 9 dug into police reports and discovered this isn't the first time illegal weapons have been brought onto Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School's campus. Police reports show there were two other cases in October.

Parents and former sheriff's deputy Tim Herbert said he's disappointed in the parents who would allow weapons to leave their homes, endangering others.

"I never took my gun home," Herbert said. "If I don't have a safe there I'm not gonna take it home."

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