POLL: How Should School Officials Handle BB Shooting?
Last Sunday, two teens allegedly shot a Boston woman with a pellet gun at the tennis courts next to the high school. How should school officials react to this incident?
This past Sunday, two 18-year-old Portsmouth men were arrested after allegedly shooting a Boston woman with a pellet gun at the tennis courts next to Portsmouth High School.
An investigation revealed that the two men had planned on shooting at random people the day before this incident and had gone to this wooded area to stage and set up their area of attack, according to police.
The incident occurred on a Sunday, when school was not in session, but the courts are located directly next to the high school. School officials are calling this an "isolated incident" and promise to address concerns from families.
"At first glance, this appears to be an isolated incident where two men, neither of whom were Portsmouth High School students or former students, engaged in something stupid and frightening," wrote PHS Principal Robert Littlefield in an e-mail. "They were not on school property, nor was this a day when school was in session.
"I will remain alert to any reaction by students and/or families and respond accordingly."
Portsmouth Patch wants to know what you think about this "frightening" incident and how school officials should react.
Should school officials speak with students about the BB shooting? Or, should school officials leave the discussion up to parents?
We want to know what you think. Tell us your thoughts in the comment section and poll below.
Stanley Farak
6:25 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
I'm sure the school handbook must address the issue of weapons. Handle this for what it is, a police/judicial process issue.
BE
6:40 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
Agree with the comment above, and adding in the point that although these boys may not have been on school property, they were indeed targeting the school property with their projectiles. Isolated or not, they were shooting at a person, intentionally, with premeditation.
Tuna man
8:48 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
The less publicity the better as there is less chance of copy cat incidents. It's in the hands of the court system and will be dealt with there. No need for the school to get involved in it.
Chris Christensen
10:53 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
I agree with the Tuna Man. Leave the school business out of this. This could have been done by two much older nitwits anyplace else where they could have concealed themselves.
Robert E
2:37 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012
The two men were not students nor were they ever students at Portsmouth High School. There is nothing for the school to do.
Your's Truly
5:00 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Excuse me.
Your's Truly
4:55 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012
If the principal of Portsmouth High School does not recall the presence of Bruce Lawson in the school system, we should be concerned as a community that the principal does not associate with the student body enough. Having graduated in 2012 with good rankings, I strictly remember Lawson present in my freshman year of High School. If he had stayed on track, he would have graduated the same year as myself, however, I recall Lawson leaving the school around 2010. Not to bounce away from the point, these adults shall be strictly apprehended and I hope the Judicial system can understand the depth of seriousness for the situation.