photo courtesy of Pixabay user diegoparra
(SEATTLE) Students at a Seattle elementary school witnessed a SWAT training from their playground – a day after another student was killed at a school less than 6 miles away.
In an email to parents, principal Sarah Jones at John Stanford International in Wallingford wrote “Students at recess saw the officers and saw some guns. I immediately informed the SPS Safety and Security department so that they could have a conversation with SPD. I am sorry for any increase in trauma or anxiety that this caused in your children.”
The day before, a student was gunned down at Ingraham High School, not far away. If the timing of the training isn’t questionable, the “heads up” about such an event has two very distinct sides.
A spokesperson for the Seattle Police Department told the Times the unit’s commander warned the school about the nearby training 10 days before the event.
Principal Jones, says yes, past trainings nearby have come with warnings, but she doesn’t remember being warned about yesterday’s exercise.
Neither does the school district’s front central office.
