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Parents speak out about Mexico middle school gun incident
Posted: 11.14.2012 at 10:12 PM
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School officials say no students were ever in any danger

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More questions than answers surround an incident where a 13-year-old boy brought a gun the Mexico Middle School on Monday.

School officials didn't find out until Tuesday when police notified them of the situation. The school district then waited until Wednesday to tell parents.

Most of the parents who spoke with KRCG 13 said they were angry and that they thought the school handled the situation poorly by keeping them in the dark for too long.

On Wednesday morning, a group of parents were told that there wasn't an incident. But just hours later, the parents got a call from the school saying a gun was taken onto school property late Monday.

Parent Misty Gish said, "I'm not happy at all. I mean, they are talking about the safety of our kids."

Police were notified that a 13-year-old boy had a pistol and was headed to the school for an after-school activity. Police showed up and questioned the boy. They then found the gun by a concession stand at the soccer field.

Parent Carl Nolan said, "I saw it go down about a block away."

Nolan took his two children out of school – something several other parents also did – saying he feared for their safety and didn't appreciate being lied to by school officials.

"Tuesday morning, I did come in because I saw it all take place," Nolan said. "I took the kids out and they were very rude in denying it ever took place. I confronted the principal about it and she said she couldn't talk to me about it and as a concerned parent I believe, after seeing all that I saw, then you should tell me yes but it's under control."

Nolan says he was just one of several parents who were asking questions and taking their kids out of school.

Assistant Superintendent Zach Templeton said students were never in any danger.

"The school is working to ensure we are providing a safe environment and that we are responding to any concerns that are out there," Templeton said.

The 13 year old was in the custody of juvenile authorities Wednesday night. School officials say he could be suspended for up to a year or suspended permanently.

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