WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Deputies said a gun went off inside a student's bookbag at Parkland High School on Tuesday, injuring a female student. Now, the district said it is considering using metal detectors in schools daily to prevent things like this in the future. It's not clear when a change like that could happen.
Metal detectors aren't new at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. They went into all middle and high schools back in 2022, but they aren't used on a daily basis - only at random or for large events like football or basketball games.
The district said metal detectors were not used Tuesday when this incident happened.
Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said he'd like to see the scanners used more frequently, but it will take funding and support from the community.
WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE:
"It's time for metal detectors in every school we have," Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said.
Extra law enforcement officers were at Parkland High on Wednesday out of precaution. The sheriff said they dealt with another "disturbance" at the school this morning as well but wouldn't elaborate on what the issue was.
The district said the student accused of bringing the gun to school got it from home, and it was never taken out of the book bag. The sheriff's office said when the gun went off inside the bag, the shrapnel hit the floor, and fragments injured a female student. She is expected to recover.
The student accused of bringing the gun has been charged with possession of a weapon on educational property. Officials said more charges are expected.
District Attorney Jim O'Neill addressed the incident in a joint press conference with law enforcement officials.
“The overwhelming majority of students do what they are supposed to do. There are a handful that don’t want to follow the rules," DA O'Neill said.
“We have to figure out a way to identify those individuals that are being disruptive in class and making it difficult for our kids to learn," he continued.
Deputies said there have been 69 incidents that have taken place at Parkland since the start of the school year. Across the district, the sheriff's office said it has responded to more than 700 calls in WS/FCS this year.
Extra law enforcement will be at the school until the end of the school year.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.