I think you are correct, this is the first I'm learning that another student said they saw a gun.
When a child comes to a teacher and says "Billy has a gun in his back pack, I saw it" that should be the end of little Billy's normal routine at school that day. His bag, desk, cubby or any other area he had access to should have been thoroughly searched while he sat in the principle's office or somewhere else safe and supervised. In which case, the shooting would have been completely preventable.
jmo
Just now reading this -- especially timely, considering that *today* an attorney for Abigail Zuerner gave a press conference regarding a lawsuit directed at the school district, that is being filed on behalf of the teacher.
As someone (this would be yours truly) who has served well over a decade as a licensed educator, substitute teaching in literally *hundreds* of elementary classrooms, I must say that I've had a few scary moments in classrooms...having to speedily do a "room clear"
while dealing with one or more students with behavioral "issues" is *not* why I (nor Ms. Zuerner, I feel sure) chose education!
@Ontario Mom:
You have "the guts" to be a good, solid elementary school principal -- being sincere here. I can't even begin to share with those reading this post how *many* times there have been "issues" with students...but here's what we (teachers) are constantly being told/reminded of: "Solve the problem in your
own classroom." Leaves one feeling helpless (not to mention a bit frustrated, too). So one just does his/her best, being super-focused on covering the material at hand, while simultaneously keeping as calm as possible when a student (or several) need high levels of "intervention". (Sorry so long.)
My thoughts and prayers continue for Ms. Zuerner, and for her legal team, as of today's press conference (sorry, I don't have a link handy).