A false bomb threat and two incidents involving guns have disrupted class at Kent schools in recent weeks, prompting lockdowns and investigations from the police.
Kent police are investigating after the Kent City School District was informed that a student was suspected of having a gun and Longcoy Elementary School was placed briefly under lockdown on May 15.
In a statement that day, Kent City Schools Superintendent Tom Larkin said it appears the student shared a photo of a gun on social media.
“The district received information from a representative of another school outside of Kent that a Longcoy Elementary student may have had a gun and showed it to the student from that other school,” he said in the statement. “While it was unclear when this interaction between the two children occurred and where the weapon might be, Longcoy was put into lockdown at approximately 2:10 p.m., and the Kent police were immediately contacted.”
Police then searched the school and found no weapon, lifting the lockdown at 2:27 p.m. that day.
Then on May 19, Stanton Middle School received a bomb threat, prompting students and staff to evacuate the middle school and go to Kent Roosevelt High School. Kent police then arrived at the school, sweeping the school with its bomb-sniffing K-9 unit.
Following the search, no bomb was discovered, the building was cleared, and students returned to the middle school in groups with police present during their walk back.
“We appreciate the swift response and support of our law enforcement partners, especially the
Kent Police Department, throughout this situation,” Larkin said in a May 19 email statement. “Thank you to our families for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we worked to ensure the safety of all students and staff.”
These incidents come after an 8-year-old student brought a loaded 9mm handgun, which the student hid in their waistbelt and showed another student during recess, on April 2. Following this, the student’s 34-year-old mother was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child endangering, according to a 19 News article.
The Kent Board of Education issued an April 23 news release sharing that the board requested an external review of the situation and the district’s safety protocols, according to an Akron Beacon Journal article.
As the board continues to investigate the April 2 situation, Larkin said he could not share any information about it until the board releases a statement of its own.
“We will always respond immediately and investigate thoroughly when an issue is raised that threatens the safety of our students and staff,” he said in the email statement. “Safety will always be our highest priority.”