DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities said two separate incidents at the same DeKalb County high school, including a gun inside the building, prompted a lockdown and panic for students.
While in hiding, scared students used their phones to text or call their parents to let them know what was going on at Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
In all, police arrested six people involved in the two different incidents.
NewsChopper 2 was over the school Wednesday morning as students went into a level 3 lockdown and police went hunting for any other possible suspects.
School leaders said a student helped an 18-year-old get into the school with a weapon and drugs. Both were taken into custody. (Note: Police initially reported the person with the gun was a parent, but have since confirmed the non-student is not a parent.)
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Meanwhile, DeKalb police arrested four other people after using OnStar to locate a stolen car in the school parking lot.
Channel 2's Sophia Choi spoke with students who were a part of the lockdown.
“it was just really scary,” said student Keionna Barrow.
“You could hear the footsteps of people running and stuff,” said student Diane Armstrong.
The lockdown was over by 11:30 a.m., but many parents weren’t taking any chances.
“Panicked, distressed. Trying to get her as soon as possible,” said parent Sheniquia Waller.
The district said they called and emailed parents and sent a letter home Wednesday afternoon.
Parents suggested adding metal detectors for the school.
“First thing that went through my mind is like, how does a kid get a gun inside the school? That’s when the bells ring in my head, there’s no metal detectors here at this school. So that’s like well, you know,” said parent Arelthia Armstrong.
The school is located at 3991 Snapfinger Road in Lithonia.
Cox Media Group
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