A 3-year-old boy in San Antonio, Texas, showed up to his pre-school with a handgun in his backpack, leading to the arrest of his father, Pete Robles, reports the NY Post.
The incident occurred at the West Side Pre-K 4 SA center, where teachers discovered the gun in the child’s backpack.
“The child was unaware that the gun was in the backpack,”
Pre-K 4 SA officials noted. As a result, the school has temporarily banned backpacks on campus. An off-duty parks officer, who was providing security at the school, helped seize the weapon and reported it to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD).
In response to the incident, the police will maintain an increased presence at the school for the foreseeable future. The 3-year-old boy has been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services, while Robles was booked and released on a $4,500 bond. He faces charges of felony child endangerment. Additional charges and arrests may be made pending further investigation.
This incident prompts reflection on a similar occurrence earlier this year at Richneck Elementary School in Virginia. In that case, a 6-year-old student shot at teacher Abigail Zwerner, appearing to be fully aware of his actions and even bragging about it afterward.
“I did it … I shot that b—ch dead,”
the child admitted to authorities, docs show.
According to Education Week, there have been 24 shootings in American schools in 2023, resulting in injuries or deaths. These statistics reinforce the pressing need for improved gun safety measures and prevention strategies to protect students and educators.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?