By Kisean Joseph & Tahna Weston
[email protected]/[email protected]
A tense situation that unfolded some time before midday yesterday forced authorities to put the Clare Hall Secondary School into lockdown mode after a student was allegedly seen carrying a firearm on the compound.
The 14-year-old male student suspected of bringing the weapon to school is currently in police custody where he is being questioned. No shots were fired during the incident and there were no reports of injuries; however, due to the student’s age, his identity will has not been disclosed.
School administrators immediately implemented safety protocols, confining all students to their classrooms while alerting the police. Law enforcement officers, including trainee police and the canine unit, quickly converged on the school compound to conduct a thorough search.
But despite an extensive search of the entire school compound, including the farm area where a source said a gun holster was discovered, no firearm was discovered.
The school’s principal was unavailable for comment following the incident, citing the ongoing nature of the situation.
However, the police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Frankie Thomas confirmed that the police had been notified of the development by officials from the Ministry of Education and the school.
“We would have carried out several searches, and the young man is currently with the police assisting us in our investigations,” he stated.
Inspector Thomas also expressed grave concern over the alleged incident but reassured parents and students that at no time was harm done to anyone.
“There was no imminent danger or threat to the lives of those present at the school at that time,” he said. Thomas commended school officials for their decisive action in halting class sessions to ensure the safety of the school population.
However, he declined to confirm certain details, including whether a holster was recovered, stating: “I would not want to at this point make any prejudged comment because, of course, there may be more than what we are aware of.”
The lockdown lasted for approximately three hours, during which time students remained in their classrooms. At around 2pm, the decision was made to release students, much to the relief of waiting family members.
The Minister of Education Hon Daryll Matthew also visited the school during the incident and assured the public that the students’ safety was never compromised. He also urged parents to remain vigilant about their children’s activities. Director Education Clare Browne joined the Minister in emphasising that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of students and faculty in schools across the nation.
This event has raised significant concerns about school safety and the potential for weapons to be brought onto educational compounds.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing schools in maintaining a safe learning environment and the importance of community vigilance in supporting these efforts. Local authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
As the Ministry of Education grapples with the implications of this event, further details about the investigation and any potential consequences for the student involved are anticipated to be released in the coming days.
