Parents Speak Out After Connecticut School Shooting
This video is no longer available.
JACKSON, Tenn.- West Tennessee parents and teachers fear for their children’s safety after the deadly elementary school shooting in Connecticut, Friday. Police in Newtown, Connecticut are investigating a massacre where 20 children lost their lives. Investigators said Adam Lanza, 20, gunned down teachers and students between the ages of 5 and 10 inside Sandy Hook Elementary School, Friday morning. Officials said Lanza was a son of of the school’s teachers. He died after the shooting from self inflicted injuries. School officials across West Tennessee said many parents have been shaken by the events in Connecticut. Several parents reportedly stopped by their child’s school just to hold their children close. “I just want to hold them and be close to them as tight as I can. You’re not safe anymore nowhere,” said parent Lashaunda Denton. “It’s tragic. It’s sad that our kids are not safe anywhere.” Whitehall Pre-K principal told 7 Eyewitness News that their school system has just installed a brand new security system that controls each door on campus. The security system requires all visitors use an intercom that activates the office and door surveillance cameras. Officials said the door only unlocked once visitors clear their reasons for visiting with the school’s secretary. Even with the security system in place teachers and parents said they are fearful of gunmen. “Could they come in here with a gun? Yeah,” said Teacher Melanie Hatley. “Could they open fire? Yeah. We are sitting ducks.” Jackson-Madison County School Superintendent Buddy White said the new security door system is placed in 21 out of the district’s 27 schools. Officials said the board is in the process of placing the system in every school. Another measure taken by Whitehall Pre-K involves brief background checks for visitor passes. Officials use a computer database that allows staff to look up certain criminal offenses before allowing a visitor to enter. Parents said they are glad schools in Madison County have some safety procedures in place but worry if it is enough. “You get nervous having to pick up your children from school not knowing who is going to come in there and start blasting open fire,” said parent Jermaine Tolefry. After school hours several teachers met to talk about taking extra precautions. School officials are instructing their teachers to lock their doors and follow procedures. Supt. White said board members might possible look into adding additional safety measures within the school system in light of the fatal shooting is Connecticut.
