SOMERSET, Texas – It has been a week since an elementary school student brought a gun to Somerset Elementary School, and there are still questions as to how that student was able to get that gun on campus in the first place.
Questions circulating online include, “Would clear backpacks help? Are metal detectors going to be implemented? Will school searches be conducted?”
Somerset ISD director of communications Natalie Martinez said she cannot comment on this active investigation, but did stress they are evaluating all possible measures to better prevent this kind of incident from happening.
KSAT’s Japhanie Gray asked specifically what that meant and was told the district is coordinating with police to look at their security audio for any possible recommendations to the board.
Gray also reached out to the Somerset Police Department, which did play a small role in the beginning of this investigation.
Speaking generally, interim police Chief Arnold Delgado said the best resource of information in this kind of situation is the students using their voices.
“That peer-to-peer communication is important,” he said. “It is important to have that communication because sometimes, they encourage each other to speak up if they do see something without being afraid of being called a snitch or anything. It is sad that these students are having to worry about violence on campus like this. But keeping that communication open for everyone would help get rid of a threat quickly. They are sometimes the best resource of information.”
This particular case is still under investigation, but district officials are hoping it emphasizes the importance of speaking up.
They said they have fostered an environment for their students that makes it comfortable for them to report threats to adults through their Sandy Hook Promise safety initiative.
It’s a national movement aimed at protecting children against gun violence, created after the devastating mass shooting in Connecticut where 20 small children and six staff members were killed.
Martinez said the district adopted the Sandy Hook Promise two years ago to educate and empower the youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes and communities.
The district said it is proud of the safe spaces it has created for students, noting that officials were able to remove the threat and the student with the weapon from campus quickly thanks to the bravery of another elementary student.
Because of the volume of tips the district has received, the Sandy Hook Promise has not only created a culture where Somerset ISD students watch out for one another and report concerns to adults, it also encourages courageous reporting, even anonymously.
If you have a threat or concern to report, visit the district’s website. On the homepage, click on the Say Something Tip Line.
Martinez said those tips can be submitted at any time of the day. Once they are submitted, they will be sent immediately to officials who can respond in a crisis.
You can learn more about the Sandy Hook Promise by clicking on this link.
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