SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Students and parents of Grant Union High School said they're fed up with the violence after Tuesday's on-campus shooting involving two students.
A 17-year-old Grant Union High School student is recovering after being shot by another 14-year-old student. Students and parents are calling for the school district to take action before it happens again.
"It should be a wake-up call, cause me as a parent, I mean, I'm afraid to actually send my kid to school," said Erica Tapia, the mother of a Grant Union High School student.
Tapia said she feels the Twin Rivers Unified School District is brushing the shooting off, and she and other mothers, like Nikkia Hamilton, want a bigger conversation with school officials.
"Unfortunately, this is nothing new. Every other day, you can hear where a child has gotten a hold of a gun, brought to school," said Hamilton, the mother of another Grant Union High School junior.
Both mothers attended the high school and said they've noticed things get worse.
"I attended this school in the year 2000, and it hasn't changed one bit. Yes, so it's the same drill. They don't do nothing about it. Like you know, kids have died. Kids have gotten killed. I feel it needs to go to a higher level now," said Tapia.
Hamilton said that also includes parents checking their kid's backpacks and being involved in their lives.
"I would not want to see, so far as metal detectors to make our kids feel they're in prison. That's not something I would want to see, but maybe more of a community police presence around the perimeter," said Hamilton.
"Maybe if they can start checking backpacks or something. I don't know, cause kids be walking in here with a lot of things, weapons, drugs, all kinds of stuff," added Tapia.
In response to an inquiry from ABC10 regarding any possible changes, Twin Rivers Unified said, in part:
Twin Rivers Unified has made significant investments in enhancing safety and security across all our schools, including Grant Union High School.
These proactive measures include the installation of new security fencing, the upgrade of emergency response and classroom security systems, continuous updates of emergency action plans, and ongoing training for the Twin Rivers Police Department to respond to emergency situations.
Hamilton is asking the district for a town hall meeting.
"I feel like the school and parents need to get together and see is there anything else we can do to provide a safer environment for our kids," said Hamilton.
Students leaving school on Wednesday said they noticed fewer kids on campus.
A community advocate also said he knows the teen who was shot and describes him as a good kid and someone who gets along with everyone.
The full statement from Twin Rivers Unified School District is available below:
Yesterday, Grant Union High School faced a tragic incident that shook our entire community. Just before 10 a.m., the Twin Rivers Police Department and Sacramento Police Department received reports of shots fired within the premises. In response, the Twin Rivers Police Department and Sacramento Police Department, in collaboration with school security and staff, swiftly enacted school safety protocols and lockdown procedures to secure the safety of all students and staff.
The swift apprehension of the suspect and emergency care provided to the victim is a testament to the rapid and coordinated efforts of law enforcement and school personnel. The immediate implementation of safety measures played a crucial role in containing the situation and minimizing potential harm.
Twin Rivers Unified has made significant investments in enhancing safety and security across all our schools, including Grant Union High School. These proactive measures include the installation of new security fencing, the upgrade of emergency response and classroom security systems, continuous updates of emergency action plans, and ongoing training for the Twin Rivers Police Department to respond to emergency situations.
The fact that this was a targeted incident makes it no less tragic and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of such investments and preparedness.
The rapid response by our school community, including law enforcement, school security, and staff, underscores the effectiveness of the safety measures implemented. We express our gratitude to our campus security, the Twin Rivers Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, and all those involved in ensuring the swift and secure resolution of this incident.
The efforts to support students and staff in the aftermath of this tragic event were equally as swift. We are extremely grateful to the mental health and crisis response resources within the district and the Del Paso Heights community for their swift response. A district crisis team was staged across the street until the code red was lifted so that student and staff support would be immediate and comprehensive. Community partners such as Pacers Take Space, Roberts Family Development Center, Black Child Legacy, Alan Rowe and many others immediately reached out or reported to Grant to support students and staff. This is a testament to the resilience of the Del Paso Heights community. These resources continue to be on campus and supporting students and staff today.
As we move forward, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Twin Rivers Unified will continue to assess and enhance security measures to provide a secure learning environment for all.
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