CINCINNATI — A third-grader brought a loaded gun into Westwood Elementary School in Cincinnati Thursday morning.
Krista Boyle, Chief Communications Officer with Cincinnati Public Schools, said a security guard noticed the gun and removed it from the child "without incident."
The school was never under lockdown. Boyle said all students and staff are safe and officials do not believe there was an intent to do harm.
"The incident is serious and serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring guns at home are unloaded, locked up, and out of the reach of children at all times," Boyle said in a statement.
Parents said they hope the incident results in the district installing metal detectors for elementary students.
"They have one for the older kids, but not for the younger kids, and I don't think that's right because anything can happen as we can see," parent Brianna Fletcher said. "How did she get the gun in the first place?"
Cincinnati Public Schools said police are investigating the situation. Boyle said the child and her parents were taken to police district headquarters for "follow-up."
Fletcher said families were informed with an automated message around 1:50 p.m. before school ended at 2:15 p.m.
"It was just scary, so many thoughts went through my head," Fletcher said.
Boyle said parents should go to besmartforkids.org for safe and inexpensive gun storage options.
