Gun found during vehicle break-in investigation at AL Brown High; parents question response

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Kannapolis City Schools district officials said police officers responded to a vehicle break-in at A. L. Brown High School on Tuesday, where a weapon was discovered and secured, school officials said.

Kannapolis City Schools district officials said police maintained control of the situation at all times, ensuring that the vehicle was never left unattended during the investigation.

There were police on campus, but the school day continued as normal, and a lockdown was deemed unnecessary.

District officials assured that at no point were students or staff in danger, and the situation was handled with an abundance of caution.

Parents were promptly informed once the investigation was completed, according to school officials.

Parent questions why she wasn’t immediately notified

Parents told Channel 9’s Gina Esposito that they weren’t notified until after a gun was found.

“I think they should’ve notified the high school and a parents and put a lockdown and they should’ve notified the pre-K,” said a parent, who didn’t want to be identified.

She said one of her family members saw police searching cars for a weapon feet away from her son’s pre-K.

He goes to Trinity United Methodist Church, which shares a parking lot with A.L. Brown.

Police said they were investigating a car that had been broken into when they found a gun in a different vehicle.

Esposito asked the school district why parents weren’t notified of the search.

“Because Kannapolis police were on campus and had the situation fully contained from the start, there was no threat to students or staff that required a lockdown,” the district responded.

Parents were later notified.

“If it was under control, why couldn’t you let people know what happened?” the parent said.

She said her son’s pre-K also sent out a letter, ensuring parents their kids were safe.

She said it felt too late.

“It’s in situations like these when you don’t take something seriously where things can escalate and turn into something tragic,” the mother said.

The school district said it’s unable to share details about the students involved, including any possible disciplinary actions due to privacy laws.

Kannapolis police said investigators found no evidence that the suspects intended to use the firearm at school.

VIDEO: Referee arrested after firing concealed weapon inside athletic facility, UCSO says

Referee arrested after firing concealed weapon inside athletic facility, UCSO says