KILLEEN, Texas — An unloaded weapon was discovered in a student’s backpack at Pat Carney Elementary School on Wednesday, according to a letter sent to parents by the school’s principal.
Principal Paige Gawryszewski reassured the school community that at no point were students or staff in danger. “There was no intent to cause harm,” Gawryszewski stated in the letter, emphasizing that the situation was handled quickly and appropriately.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from school administrators and Killeen Independent School District (KISD) police, who worked together to address the incident with the student’s parents. The school day continued without disruption, and the weapon was confirmed to be unloaded.
In her letter, Gawryszewski urged parents to reinforce with their children the importance of adhering to the school’s safety policies. “We ask for your partnership in reinforcing with your student that weapons of any kind—including toy replicas or look-alikes—are not permitted on school grounds,” she wrote.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety in schools, underscoring the importance of vigilance and communication between schools and families to ensure the well-being of students and staff. The school district has not disclosed further details about the student involved.
