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Parents shocked that Ardrey Kell student had gun on campus

By Brittney Johnson
By Brittney Johnson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Parents are still shocked at the news that police arrested a student Tuesday for walking the halls of Ardrey Kell High School with a gun.

"(I'm) very concerned. It's pretty terrifying," said parent Christina Hollingsworth.
 
Parents told Channel 9 Wednesday that they were pleased with the district's response, but still have questions.

Gun found on campus of Ardrey Kell High School
 
"My student just informed me they are taking it very seriously at school so that's a little reassuring, but it's still terrifying to know it was in his backpack for a few days," Hollingsworth said.
 
Channel 9 asked the head of the school resource officers division how a student could carry a weapon on campus undetected for days.
 
"There are almost 3,000 students there so there is no measure in place to check every single child that comes through every single day," said Sgt. Celestine Ratliff.
 
Ratliff said there are no metal detectors or plans for any immediate security changes, but she did notify school resource officers to remain vigilant at campuses across the district.
 
"We do rely on the relationship that the students have with the SROs" Ratliff said.
 
In this incident that relationship paid off.
 
Police said a student told them a classmate was carrying a gun in his backpack.

They are calling it an isolated incident, but said it shows the importance of the "see something, say something" mentality that they are trying to cultivate among students.
 
But parents want to know more will be done to keep guns out of schools.
 
"They are so proactive at this high school. I'm sure they're putting steps in place to make sure it doesn't happen again," Hollingsworth said.

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