Following the students death, district superintendent Scott Hunt, said he understood that many families have concerns about school safety
NEED TO KNOW
- An 18-year-old died by suicide at Valley Forge High School in Ohio on Monday, April 20
- No one else was injured and police said they quickly determined there was no ongoing threat to students or staff
- However, parents have concerns about school safety
An 18-year-old died by suicide at her Ohio high school earlier this week. Now, a community is grappling with how to prevent similar tragedies.
Police in Parma Heights, a city about 11 miles southwest of Cleveland, began receiving calls about a large disturbance in the cafeteria at Valley Forge High School shortly after 2 p.m. local time on Monday, April 20, according to a joint statement from police and the Parma City School District.
When they arrived, officers found the student with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The student, whose identity has not been released, was taken to a local hospital, where she died.
No one else was injured and police said they quickly determined there was no ongoing threat to students or staff.
"She did not have intentions to harm anyone other than herself," Parma Heights Police Sgt. Eric Taylor told PEOPLE, noting that an investigation remains ongoing.
At Wednesday's news conference, the district's superintendent, Scott Hunt, said he understood that many families have concerns about school safety — including how a weapon could have entered the building.
He said the district will be conducting a thorough review of all safety and security protocols to identify any areas for strengthening and to ensure that its practices remain as effective as possible.
Hunt stressed that emergency protocols had been activated and carried out as intended. Staff responded immediately, the building was secured and students were safely directed to appropriate locations.
Still, he implored people to come forward with concerns.
"We can't intervene if we don't know," he said.
When questioned by reporters, Parma Heights Police Chief Steven Greene said the gun belonged to a family member of the teen and that it was unclear whether the student had the gun on her person throughout the entire day or kept it in her locker.
In a letter to the school community, district leaders said Valley Forge and Normandy High Schools would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and all high school athletic and extracurricular events scheduled for those days would be postponed.
"Our hearts are with the student's family, friends, staff, and all who are impacted by this tragic loss," the letter said. Counseling services will be available to students, staff and families, the administrators wrote.
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Matthew Myers, 35, whose three children — Quinnley, 7; Lillianah, 12 and Liam, 14 — attend Parma City public schools, tells PEOPLE he was frustrated by arguments among parents on social media in recent days. It spurred him to create a Change.org petition calling for metal detectors in all district schools.
"It was extremely aggravating to see all these parents argue on social media," says Myers.
The petition has nearly 1,800 signatures as of Friday, April 24, and Myers says he plans to bring the petition before the school board at its next public meeting.
Greene, the police chief, said Wednesday that the police department would discuss with its partners whether metal detectors are a viable solution they should pursue.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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