JERSEY CITY – Did the 14-year-old boy who shot himself in the leg near a grammar school Tuesday afternoon have the weapon in school?
Officials from the Jersey City Public School District aren’t yet sure, but are beefing up security at Whitney M. Young Jr. School 15 and taking precautions to ensure no weapons enter the building.
“While the incident did not happen on school property and we do not know if the gun was brought into the school or not, the district is taking a number of steps to ensure that students and staff are safe and feel safe,” Jersey City schools spokeswoman Maryann Dickar said in a statement.
Less than 24 hours after the teenager shot himself on his way home from the school — reportedly a block from the Stegman Street building — some are left questioning school safety.
On Wednesday, nearly a dozen Jersey City police officers and school security guards crowded around the front of the building’s Stegman Street entrance. One parent, who only identified himself as the father of a 10-year-old girl, said there isn’t typically that much security outside the building.
“I be concerned about her safety always,” the father said. “That’s why you see me here to pick her up.”
He and another parent said they have not received a letter about the incident from the school
The district said “hand-wanding” was used to detect any weapons as students entered the building Wednesday, while full metal detectors are being installed as well. Security guards also met with the school’s administration to discuss the new measures.
“Yesterday’s event was as disturbing as it was unacceptable,” Superintendent Marcia Lyles said in a statement. “We know these are troubling times and the Jersey City Public School District will do everything it can to make PS 15 safe and secure, a haven for the community.”
Security guards quickly rushed students off the school’s property during dismissal.
“Keep it moving,” one yelled repeatedly.
Board of Education President Joel Torres said he’s still receiving information about what happened on Tuesday afternoon, but is hoping to “get to the bottom” of this and make sure students and their parents feels safe when walking into the school.
“As we’ve heard around the nation, the easy access to guns is making it very difficult to our society right now,” he said.
The teen was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and possession of a firearm by a minor. He was released from the hospital and remanded to the Union County juvenile Pasgol detention center.
School 15 is located in one of the city’s “high crime” neighborhoods. Last month, three people were murdered inside a home on Fulton Avenue, less than three blocks away from the school.
Caitlin Mota may be reached at cmota@jjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter @caitlin_mota. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
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