Gun safety is of utmost importance for those who have firearms in their homes. This is particularly crucial for gun owners with children living in or visiting the property. Without proper safety measures in place, the results can be catastrophic.
One school district in Tennessee recently experienced what could have been a deadly situation. Disturbingly, an elementary student brought a loaded gun to their school. And now, their mother is facing serious charges.
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On Thursday, September 5, 2024, the Memphis Police Department responded to a call at roughly 8:40 a.m., Fox13 Memphis reported. The call was about an armed person at Geeter K-8 School in Memphis. A resource officer told police that a student had a handgun on the school's property.
The 6-year-old had been passing the weapon to other students in his class, according to a police affidavit, per ABC News. A different student allegedly told staff about the gun, and a teacher retrieved it from the 6-year-old's backpack. It was reportedly a "loaded 9mm Ruger handgun," the Memphis Police Department said in a statement shared via People.
Ke’Erinie King, 22, the 6-year-old's mother, admitted the gun was hers, per the police affidavit. She alleged that she purchased it from an "unknown person," Fox13 Memphis reported. After police checked the serial number, they determined the firearm was stolen.
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King was arrested and booked into the Shelby County Jail but released on bond, KMC-TV reported. In relation to the incident, she was charged with child abuse and child neglect or endangerment, carrying a weapon on school property, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her next court date is October 4.
Lakeisha Williams, King's mother, spoke about the incident with WMC-TV. "They made it look as if she gave the child a gun to take to school or she had it somewhere where he can just go and pick it up," Williams said.
"We don’t have our guns lying around for kids to just go and easily get them. My grandson went out of his way," she continued. "He pulled up a little chair and got his mom, and he got a hold of that gun."
Meanwhile, Memphis-Shelby County Schools released a statement urging caregivers to check their students' backpacks each morning.
"It is also important to discuss the serious consequences of bringing any weapon or replica weapon to school," the statement read, per WREG-TV. "Our priority remains the safety and well-being of all students. We appreciate our community’s support in ensuring a secure learning environment."
