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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The mother of Bobby McKeithen, a student at Butler High School, who was shot dead Monday morning by a classmate on campus, joins other local parents to urge officials at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School to strengthen security measures.
[RELATED: Arrest affidavit details possible motive in deadly Butler High School shooting]
"A child should not have been able to get in with a gun and be able to shoot my baby," said McKeithen's mother, Ashley Mewborn.
While there is no policy in place, Elsa Gillis of Channel 9 has learned that the school district could consider carrying students with metal detectors, looking for backpacks and require transparent backpacks.
CMS discussed this tragic incident at the Tuesday evening board meeting.
"I'm here today to beg for CMS for my life and the lives of my classmates," said commissioners Luke Drago, junior high school student Ardrey Kell.
Superintendent Clayton Wilcox suggested that no safety measures, including metal detectors, be prohibited.
"I think it's something we need to revisit," Wilcox said at the meeting. "I think we would be negligent if we did not talk about it at least, and even if we did a little bit of experience."
Wilcox had previously opposed this idea, citing a negative impact on the rather hospitable atmosphere of a school campus.
Sean Strain, board member, discussed the tragedy with the community.
"We need to ask our children how they manage to make those tragic decisions that impact their lives," said Strains.
[RELATED: CMPD chief, CMS leaders at odds over metal detectors in schools]
"It's sad that this is happening, but look where we are, a child died yesterday at school," parent Erike Johnson said earlier on Tuesday.
Prior to the council meeting, a CMS official said that the metal detectors and the students who were moving away from them had been taken into account by the district and the community for a period of time. Any decision would require careful input from the entire community.
[RELATED: Ramping up efforts for school security is top priority for CMS]
"They have to make sure these kids are safe, do what you have to do," Mewborn said.
When asked where would the money come from the new security measures, officials said it would most likely be added to their regular budget, not through surety bonds .
Parents said that they supported many more security options.
"A lot of parents were very worried about their kids, I would have been too one of my kids, so I think they need to increase it and buckle up, "said Johnson.
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