MATTHEWS, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox said the district "failed" in at least one respect after a student was killed during a shoot at Butler High School in Matthews Monday.
During a press conference with Matthews Police, Wilcox said the district was pleased with how law enforcement and crisis responders reacted to the shooting, which happened in a main hallway at the high school. Investigators said the shooter and victim were both CMS students.
"We don't actively search every bag that comes into school each and every day," Wilcox said. "I can tell you, from one perspective, yes we failed. Maybe we didn't intervene early enough in a bullying situation, I don't really know what took place.
"I don't know how a young person gets a handgun in the state of North Carolina but we'll look into all those things and make sure it doesn't happen again."
"I mean where are the metal detectors at the doors?" asked one mother.
Wilcox hinted that more changes may be coming to the safety policy, "Perhaps we will have to do some things that are a little more aggressive."
About two hours after the shooting, hundreds of parents stormed the front doors of Butler High, demanding to have their kids released from school.
Several parents marched in a large group from Elevation Church in Matthews, saying they received a notification that they could sign their kids out of class at 8:50 a.m.
With the school on lockdown, those parents were told they couldn't sign their kids out until that was lifted, which was around 9:30. Chaos and confusion took over as parents flooded the entryways and students poured out of the exits to get to their parents.
"We had a breakdown, our police officers were not able to keep the parents back but at the same time, I understand why parents came on the campus," Wilcox said.
Wilcox said counselors were at the school to assist any students who saw the shooting.
"It was in a main hallway as kids were going to class so there were plenty of young people who saw that, and that's why we have to be very careful about what we say," said Wilcox.
Wilcox lamented the power of social media, particularly with the spreading of misinformation and rumors among students and their parents. He also said the investigation will involve any past incidents involving the suspect and victim.
"Any time you have an event like this, you have to look at the precursors," Wilcox said. "Did we not notice bullying or something else that was going on ahead of time?"
