Friday morning, a student at Klein High School was arrested after school officials say he brought an unloaded handgun onto campus.
READ MORE: Klein High School student arrested after gun found on campus; students reported weapon to staff
The incident marked the third incident involving a gun on a Klein ISD campus this week.
On Monday, a Klein Collins High School student was arrested and handed felony charges after allegedly firing a handgun in a school bathroom unintentionally.
READ MORE: Klein Collins High School student accidentally fires gun in school bathroom, Klein ISD confirms
Then on Thursday, a man was arrested after allegedly bringing a holstered firearm into Zwink Elementary School.
MORE INFO: Man arrested after allegedly entering Klein ISD elementary school with a gun
In response to these incidents, Klein ISD is increasing security measures district-wide.
Starting March 23, after Spring Break, schools will see:
- Increased police presence on all campuses in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.
- Expanded random metal detector screenings, conducted on an unannounced, rotating schedule.
- Increased K-9 searches in coordination with law enforcement.
“We know that it is not one safety approach that makes the difference, but rather our layered approach to safety measures that keep students and staff safe,” Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said in a letter addressed to families and staff.
She also urged parents to secure firearms at home and discuss the seriousness of bringing weapons to school, reminding families that students who bring weapons will face expulsion and felony charges.
Reporter Re’Chelle Turner spoke to Samantha Borgos a self-defense educator, firearms trainer, and entrepreneur who co-founded the training company Sovereign Self Defense with her husband, Marine Corps veteran Alejandro Borgos. She says these three unrelated incidents shows that districts need to increase safety at school and at home. She said there are hard and soft skills that districts can put in place to keep students safe.
“I believe that ballistic blankets are something that get overlooked. A lot of times people want to go to metal detectors, and I’m not necessarily against that per se. However, I do believe that there’s some more practical application of things, and these ballistic blankets are a very simple tool that could be stocked in every single classroom,” she said.
Borgos who says schools should also consider ballistic blankets like you see on your screen. She says they’re often overlooked but help in big ways.
“It’s something that can be easily stored away and out of sight, and they are something that with training, you know, children, teachers, and, you know, school officers and educators can easily put these up,” she said.
District leaders also reminded families about reporting concerns through Klein ISD’s KeepKleinSafe anonymous tip line, which can be found here.