Parents concerned after student with loaded gun caused Code Red lockdown at Rolesville High School
ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A student with a loaded gun caused the Code Red lockdown at Rolesville High School on Wednesday morning.
According to the school, a staff member stopped the student outside the school around 10:45 a.m. The gun was confiscated but the school went on lockdown as a precaution within 30 minutes.
"Once it actually happens it's just like, 'Dang, this is actually happening right now.' (It's) something you can't prepare yourself for," student Bryen Saravia said.
At 12:30 p.m., law enforcement arrived to search the school building and the surrounding areas. When the search returned nothing dangerous, the school moved to a Code Yellow lockdown and opted to dismiss students at 1:15 p.m.
"You always think the worst when things like this happen and unfortunately it's seeming to be more commonplace with schools these days," parent Nathan Mitchiner said.
Georgi Badia, a senior at Rolesville High School, said he was about to go to lunch when the lockdown went into effect.
"When things like this happen, I know that one of them might get a lot serious," Badia said. "I'm actually kind of worried about things but I just know that we're all safe you know."
While Badia agreed this was handled well, he didn't oppose to the idea of more security, such as metal detectors at school. This is the second Code Red lockdown to happen since October.
"I see that when this type of situation happens, they know how to take good care of it and nobody comes out hurt," Badia said. "But of course, it's not just Rolesville. Any type of school, they can up their security a little bit."
The name of the student who brought the gun to school has not been released. However, the message to parents confirmed that the student would face an automatic 365-day suspension from school for bringing the gun.
"I greatly appreciate the support of the Rolesville Police Department, the Wake County Sheriff's Department, and the WCPSS Security Department. I am so grateful for the care and diligence they practiced today and every day to ensure the safety of our staff and students," the school's statement read.
Growing concerns among parents following lockdown at Rolesville HS
Parent Naomi Miller, whos daughter was suspended back in October for running out of a lockdown at East Wake High said she wants a national hotline where students are tracked by their known number and they call into number where they can say they're safe. She appreciates the police officers being there but said they and teachers can't do it alone.
"In those particular situations, what do we want our children to do? We want them to run for safety, we want everyone to protect themselves," Miller said. "It's frustrating as a parent, it's frustrating to hear, to want to do something about it and not be able to do something about it. It's too close to home, we need a resolution here."
Jermaine Thomas has a freshman and sophomore at Rolesville High School. He said that the communication was the problem the last time but it was better this time.
"When I answered the phone today and they said hey Rolesville's on lockdown, I said here we go again and I was thinking about what happened in the fall, They both said they were fine. One was a little nervous because she said her door wouldn't lock." Thomas said. "As the minutes go by you really just have this uneasy feeling and you want a conclusion or communication. I would strongly say the communications needs to be a little better."
Thomas works as executive director for campus health and safety at Bennett College and has been preparing for active shooter training on Thursday. He feels students are best prepared for these kinds of things.
"Knowing that there are a lot of mental health issues, you have to take every phone call seriously and it's concerning as a parent...you have no idea what's going on you lose all control," Thomas said. "I try and stay as calm. I still have those nerves. Have a good support system around here. I know if I can't get to them, somebody will."
