RPS changes safety policy after gun-related incident at John Marshall

In the wake of a gun-related incident at John Marshall High School in the city’s Northside, Richmond Public Schools have announced they will change their safety and security policies.

February 22, 2013; 4:30 PM • by RVANews staff

Early this morning Richmond Police responded to an incident involving a handgun at John Marshall High School on Richmond’s Northside. An altercation began inside the school at which point police were called. Later a handgun was seen, and the suspect fled outside where he was arrested. The gun was found in a nearby dumpster. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

This afternoon Richmond Public Schools announced they will change their safety and security protocol in response to the incident–specifically during inclement weather.

Currently, the district’s standard procedure during inclement weather is to bring students into the school to minimize their exposure to extreme weather conditions and then conduct random classroom searches. During normal weather conditions, students go through metal detectors as they enter the building.

Superintendent Yvonne Brandon also said that the district “will be conducting a comprehensive review district-wide to determine ways we can maintain the safety of our students while protecting the integrity of class time and decreasing our students’ exposure to extreme weather conditions.”

School Board President Jeff Bourne would like the Board to review policies and protocols as early as their next meeting.

There will be a parent meeting at John Marshall High School on Tuesday, February 26th at 6:30 PM to discuss the incident and collect feedback on safety and security procedures.