Appoquinimink to form safety task force after student arrested for brandishing a gun
Just one day after a Middletown High student was arrested for pointing a gun at a classmate, the Appoquinimink School District announced it will form a task force to review safety policies and procedures.
The task force will consist of parents, district staff and school board members. Superintendent Matthew Burrows said he will send out a form later this week for parents who wish to be considered for the group.
The announcement came in a letter sent to parents Saturday, in which Burrows apologized for miscommunication about the incident.
Originally, parents were told only that a quick-thinking teacher had separated two students on the brink of a physical altercation.
"Staff were able to separate the teens before any blows were thrown, and no one was injured," an email to parents said. "But, a check of one student's bag revealed a handgun."
Several parents felt the school hadn't been transparent enough, however, when State Police on Saturday revealed the incident had been much more serious The police investigation revealed that 18-year-old student Tymere Moore pointed a 9-mm handgun at another student.
School officials received word of Moore having a gun and tried to escort him to a "secure area," police said. He refused and struck a school administrator before being brought under control, police said.
The gun was found in his bag, and he was arrested, police said.
Moore had also argued with a female student in the hall and threw a bottle that hit her in the head, police said. She received minor injuries.
Further investigation determined that Moore stole the handgun from a vehicle before arriving at school.
In a second email, Burrows told parents that he and school staff did not learn about Moore brandishing the gun until State Police released its official report.
"With these facts now in hand, I feel compelled to share the DSP report in it's (sic) entirety so that there is no question about our core commitment to clear and transparent communication with parents," he said. "On a personal level, I will also share my frustration with you.
"I felt then, and do now, that timely communication is vital. However, had these additional facts been known to me at the time, my letter to parents would have reflected that information. As it is, I can only apologize for the necessity of contacting you a second time; and express my understanding about any resulting disappointment and concern on your part."
Scroll down to read Burrow's full letter, as well as the press release from Delaware State Police.
The incident happened on the same day a 17-year-old boy fatally shot at least 10 people at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas. The suspect was later taken into custody.
One month ago, students at the Texas school had joined thousands nationwide in school walkouts demanding an end to the bloodshed that has rippled through U.S. schools.
They observed 17 minutes of silence on National Walkout Day, the 19th anniversary of a shooting at Columbine, a massacre in 1999 that triggered one of the first national debates over gun-control laws and school security. They also honored those killed in Parkland, Florida, on Valentine's Day.
Likewise, Middletown High School students participated in a walkout held March 14. They rallied under the American and Delaware flags, holding signs emblazoned with sentiments such as "Protect lives, not guns."
On the April 20 anniversary of Columbine, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons spoke at Middletown High and took questions from about 400 juniors and seniors from both of the district's high schools.
This past weekend, parents took to Facebook to discuss school safety and the district's response to the incident.
"Active shooter drills should be as common as a fire drill, if not more common," said Kenny Chance, whose kids are in the fourth grade. "When was the last time children were killed in a school by fire as compared to an active shooter?"
Delaware law requires all schools hold active shooter/lockdown drills twice a year. Fire drills are held once a month.
Stacey Dugan-Hoyle, from Townsend, said: "This whole situation is just sad and scary.
"I don't trust anyone with my kids anymore. We're staying to plan out homeschooling for mine next year. I'm done with being scared and having nerves rattled weekly almost when this crap happens."
Many parents and community members thought the school district handled the incident well.
"Mr. Burrows and the district did a very good job yesterday and today," Colleen McAplin Stanton said Saturday, adding that by sending a follow-up email Burrows above and beyond to clear up any misunderstandings.
One mom, who also works at Middletown High, said administrators quickly isolated the threat without panicking students or causing additional chaos.
Every district has a Comprehensive School Safety Plan that they follow in such situations to keep students safe. Middletown High School also has a school resource officer, a Delaware State Police officer who is assigned to the school to help maintain discipline and investigate crime.
After Friday's incident, however, some community members felt strongly the school district should consider installing metal detectors or having students use clear backpacks so they can't bring in weapons.
If a student brought a gun to school and was only caught because he got into a fight, it's possible other students could sneak them in, parents felt. They worried that next time, the gun wouldn't get confiscated until it was too late.
"The only way to stop this is to have metal detectors or cops/retired cops/trained veterans going through backpacks," Middletown-area resident Cherie Fulton Connor said. "They do it in (Philadelphia) and many other schools. Why not in every school?"
Burrows said parents had an important role in keeping their children's schools safe and encouraged them to notify district staff if they saw anything suspicious.
"When it comes to school safety, vigilance is our best defense," he said. "Please help the staff and I as we communicate to our children: 'If you see something, say something.'"
Police have charged Moore with carrying a concealed, deadly weapon; possession of a weapon in a school zone; theft of a firearm; aggravated menacing; third-degree assault; and offensive touching. He was committed to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center on $29,250 cash bail.
He was suspended immediately and pending a formal investigation, will not be allowed contact with other students or staff and will not be allowed on school property.
TRENDING STORIES
This disease is incredibly rare. 3 siblings have it
Man shot in Wilmington in critical condition
DelTech diesel mechanic program coming to Middletown
Letter from Superintendent Burrows
Press release
Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.
Looking for more education news? Visit delawareonline.com/education. Submit story ideas at delonline.us/2i2tugB.