RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Community members are reacting after a Richmond preschooler brought a loaded gun to school.
Officers with the Richmond Police Department were called to Maymont Preschool at 2:12 p.m. on Monday, May 6, for the report of a gun at school.
When officers arrived, a staff member reported that a preschool student had a loaded gun in their backpack, which was recovered by staff members, and was then seized by Richmond Police.
“It’s scary. I have four nephews, I have a niece, all of them are preschool age or younger,” said Shealor Raikes, who was walking near the school Tuesday afternoon.
Shealor Raikes said it’s situations like this that make her worried about what’s next.
“My partner and I aren’t having kids because of things like this,” Raikes said. “We’re really scared about the future of kids, and you know, what the world is going to be for them, it’s just becoming so dangerous.”
A member of the student’s family, 34-year-old Valentino Christian, is charged with allowing access to firearms by children.
Security expert Mike Jones said recently passed legislation will make charges more severe in these types of cases because guardians can now face a felony charge if their child gains access to a firearm and has been previously deemed a credible threat to themselves or others.
“The General Assembly united in a rash show of collegiality and said, we’re just gonna have to make parents feel the pain if they don’t do their job,” Jones said.
Jones added that prevention in these types of situations starts at home.
“Simple solution, talk to your child, pick up their bag, if it’s too heavy, then check it,” Jones said. “Be parents and be the kind of parents who are going to stand up, not only for your own child but for every child in that school.”
Richmond Public Schools sent the following statement to 8News about the situation:
During dismissal yesterday, a staff member found a weapon in a student’s bag at Maymont Preschool. The weapon was immediately reported to Care and Safety, and Richmond Police were called in. There were no injuries to students or staff.
Safety and security is a top priority of Richmond Public Schools, and we take incidents like this extremely seriously. We strive to build a safe, positive, and healthy culture at all our schools. We ask for parent, caregiver, and community support in promoting safe and healthy behaviors, and in reporting any concerning behaviors or reports so that we can address in a timely and safe manner.
