SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield Police continue to search for additional suspects allegedly involved in Monday's shooting at Science and Technology High School.
Prosecutors said there was an argument at the school, during which one of the suspects struck the victim with a pistol, then fired one shot, causing the bullet to go through a window.
Dr. Rahiza Gallardo from Gandhara Center said such incidents can have a negative impact on students' mental health, saying, “Students feel unsafe, are worried, have great anxiety and fear. Children are already worried: “What will happen to me? What if someone hurts me? What if I can't go back to my family?'' So anything we can do to teach them how to stay safe is very important. ”
Springfield Police Department Spokesman Ryan Walsh said further investigation revealed that when one of the suspects grabbed the handle, the teacher pried open the security door as if to tell the group they were not allowed to leave, and multiple people were inside. He said it turned out he was able to get in.
Putnam Academy and STEM Middle Academy were placed on lockdown Monday because of their proximity to the high school. Counseling services were made available to students, faculty and staff on Tuesday.
Dr. Gallardo said schools need to take some precautions to prevent incidents like this from happening again, saying, “In yesterday's situation, the people who were actually involved were not part of the school, so the school needs to take preventive measures. What are you doing for that purpose?” It's a way of preventing those who are not part of the school from coming to the school…and those on the inside from bringing in people from outside. ”
One suspect was arraigned in court on Tuesday morning, but police are searching for more suspects.
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