Gun Discharge In Classroom Prompts Lockdown In Elementary School

MARINA DEL REY, CA — Students, teachers and families experienced a scare Wednesday and Westside Global Awareness Magnet school in Marina del Rey was placed on lockdown following reports of a classroom shooting involing a young boy.

No one was injured in the incident. The school's principal described the morning incident as a student discharge of a "possible" firearm inside a classroom. The student then fled the campus, according to police. The alarming incident comes barely a month after a student reportedly brought a gun to school in nearby Manhattan Beach.

The student involved was a 13-year-old boy, The Los Angeles Times reported. The gun apparently went off accidentally, possibly inside a backpack, shortly after the morning bell, the paper reported.

Parents were notified about the lockdown around 9:10 a.m. and were assured that their children, along with school staff, were safe as school police and district officials investigated the possible shooting, according to Los Angeles School Police Department spokesman Allen Chavez.

A second notification was sent to parents around 10:40 a.m. by the school's principal confirming reports of a student allegedly discharging a "possible" firearm inside a classroom and subsequently fleeing the campus, Chavez said.

“Today, a student allegedly discharged a possible firearm inside of a classroom and thereafter fled the campus,” the messages said. “No students or staff were injured. The campus has been swept by law enforcement and the lockdown has been lifted.”

The lockdown was lifted after students and staff were deemed safe and the campus had been thoroughly investigated.

"We took immediate action, including notifying the Los Angeles School Police Department and Region West Operations for further investigation," Westside Global Awareness Magnet Principal Lorraine Machado said in a message to parents.

"The parents of the impacted students have been notified. In an abundance of caution, the Los Angeles School Police Department will be providing on-campus support and extra patrols for the remainder of the week," she added.

Machado stated that the region and school site will be providing mental health support for any students who were affected by the incident and reminded the school community and parents that students should not bring any dangerous items on campus, including items that may resemble a dangerous object or weapon.

"We take the safety and security of our students and our campus very seriously. This is an opportunity for parents and guardians to discuss with their children the importance of using good judgment and avoiding dangerous activities," she said.

No additional details were provided about the student who allegedly discharged the firearm or whether any arrests were made.

City News Service contributed to this report.