Watts Parents On Edge After Police Say Student Brought Gun To School

The Watts Police Department said the Cherokee Nation is investigating after a student brought a gun to Watts school Wednesday.

The school said another student did the right thing and reported the gun, that was then found it in a backpack. The school then called police. 

Dawni Fortenberry has four kids in Watts Public Schools. She's pretty frustrated after saying she didn't hear about the gun from the school first, but from her kids and other parents. 

"As a parent, I'm very angry," said Fortenberry.

Fortenberry said she's disappointed by what she calls a lack of leadership, security, and communication from Watts Public Schools. 

"Honey, I'm ready to pull my children out of that school system," said Fortenberry.

She said learning that a student brought a gun to school the way she did, was a slap in the face. 

"Didn't notify any parents until the end of the day after school hours were over," said Fortenberry.

The Superintendent of Watts Public Schools sent News On 6 the following statement: 

"Student safety is our priority. We do all we can to provide a safe learning environment. Accordingly, the district took immediate action when a student reported that another student had a gun in their backpack. The principal immediately found and removed the reported student and took possession of the backpack. The principal found the gun in the backpack. Because the gun was seized so swiftly, the district did not go into lockdown. Law enforcement, specifically the Watts Police Department, was contacted and quickly responded. The firearm was turned over to law enforcement. The district is cooperating with the police department investigation and is grateful to Chief Matt Stilwell for his quick response.

We are deeply thankful and grateful to the student who reported the situation. Because of this, the principal was able to locate and take possession of the gun immediately.

This is a confidential student matter and the school will not comment further."

"My eighth grader, which is in class with this boy seven hours a day, sits near him in class and everything, I mean he was scared," Fortenberry said. "My 14-year-old is kind of disrupted you could say today I guess you'd say. My sixth grader told me that he doesn't want to go back to school if this boy’s going to be back if nothing's going to be done."

The Watts Police Department arrived at the school within minutes of being called and took the student into custody.

"The schools need to be in way better contact with the parents and guardians of children. I mean we send our children to school every day knowing that they're supposed to be protected and taken care of and learning," said Fortenberry.

Several parents said the student also had a list with names of students and teachers on it. The Watts Police Chief said he can't confirm there is a list but can confirm there were no student names on a list.