CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tuesday marks a solemn anniversary for the Butler High School community. One year ago, 16-year-old Bobby McKeithen was killed when another student opened fire inside the school.
The suspect, Jatwan Cuffie, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting. He was sentenced to a maximum of nine years in jail. Investigators said the shooting was the result of a fight that happened off campus. Former superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox said it bullying "escalated out of control."
School leaders said Tuesday will be a day of remembrance for students and faculty at Butler. Administrators and students were seen lighting candles on campus Tuesday morning, saying they hope this October 29 will be a day of kindness.
Students told NBC Charlotte there was a moment of silence at the beginning of the school day.
A lot has changed for students at Butler, as well as the entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district, since the shooting. Numerous security measures have been taken by the district, including giving every staff member panic cards that can lead police to any potential emergency and increased surveillance on campuses.
The crisis-alert system will work through a light installed in every classroom ceiling that blinks during an emergency or lockdown. A red flash will indicate complete lockdown, yellow will indicate modified lockdown, while green indicates an evacuation and blue is for a weather emergency. All staff members' panic card will be able to trigger the emergency beacons.
"We understand that parents who send their children to CMS expect our best efforts every day to keep their children safe," said Superintendent Earnest Winston. "We have deployed a variety of measures to help protect everyone and keep our focus where it should be — on teaching and learning."
School officials believe the past year has made them a stronger, more unified community. Counselors and school leaders spent the last year teaching students how to help one another.
There were extra counselors on hand at school Tuesday in case students needed a safe space to talk.