Southfield district considers installing metal detectors in schools after gun incident

SOUTHFIELD – Southfield Police Department school security officers were notified at 10 a.m. on Sept. 16 that students had alerted school security that a student at Southfield A&T High School in the 24000 block of Lahser Road was in possession of a firearm.

The school was placed on lockdown while officers located and arrested a 15-year-old student in the restroom. A loaded .40 caliber Smith & Wesson was reportedly found and removed from the student's waistband.

Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren stated at the Sept. 17 press conference that the student was a Detroit resident who was having conflicts with other Detroit teenagers in another school district. The student reportedly said he was carrying the loaded gun for protection.

“But let me make this apology very clear. When it comes to carrying weapons of any kind – in this case for a juvenile, but also for adults – carrying a weapon on school property is unforgivable. I'll say it again. It's unforgivable. Too many things happen in our country when it comes to these weapons and they're in the possession of irresponsible people,” Barren said.

“Even though there was no indication in this case that he would use the gun to harm the students, what about accidental shootings? What about the fact that there was a recent argument between people and that argument escalated into a shooting? Why? Because the gun is in their possession. So those are the reasons why we say zero tolerance on school property when we talk about the importance of properly securing your gun.”

The Oakland County District Attorney's Office charged the student on September 17 with carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and obstructing school administration, and possession of a weapon in a gun-free school zone.

Barren praised the students who informed school security officials that their classmate was armed.

“For these reasons, we are again encouraging our children in schools to say something when they see something. Report it. In this case, it worked, and once again we are pleased with the outcome, but again, accountability is our next step.”

James Jackson, chief of staff for Southfield Public Schools, said protecting the A&T school's 1,500 students is a top priority and that the school district is exploring installing metal detectors in schools.

“School safety is our top priority. Our recently passed capital bond makes reviewing our safety infrastructure a top priority. So our plan has been to accelerate that timeline over the next few years while we make infrastructure improvements as a result of recent events to improve our safety measures. But I can't give you specifics on that yet,” he said.