BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON’S RESPONSE TO SHOOTING INCIDENT AT MS 391

"On the eve of a new school year, we experienced a deeply troubling incident that should never occur in our community. One of our educators was struck by a stray bullet while preparing their classroom for instruction. An event that is both unacceptable and profoundly concerning. We are immensely relieved and grateful that he is recovering, but this situation highlights a broader public safety issue that demands our urgent attention.

Our schools should be sanctuaries of learning and growth, not places of fear. The safety of our students and educators must be a top priority, and incidents like these underscore the need for more effective measures to protect our residents from gun violence. Out of precaution, we are adding additional school support staff, including counselors at MS 391, and additional School Safety Agents.

We want to reassure our educators and parents that our children will be safe returning to school tomorrow. To ensure their continued safety, we will continue to work with local law enforcement and community leaders to keep our scholars, educators, and school staff safe in and out of the classroom. Our thoughts are with the affected teacher and his family, and we stand united in our determination to foster a safe and supportive educational atmosphere for all."