LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Jefferson County Public Schools remains on schedule to install weapon detection systems at schools, and after shots were fired after a local football game over the weekend, the district confirms that the rollout could include sporting events.
The shots were fired into the air Friday night after the Male High School vs. Pleasure Ridge Park football game. According to a letter sent home to parents by principal Keith Cathey, the gunshots were heard in the Gheens parking lot, as people were leaving the game.
No one was injured, and it has yet to be determined if any Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) students were involved. But Male High School Principal Keith Cathey called it "unacceptable" in a message sent to parents.
He added that, "We must all work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors. No weapons should ever be brought to a JCPS event."
JCPS is set to roll out Evolv weapon detection systems in schools in October. On Monday, the district confirmed it's still on track to do so and schools can move them outside for sporting events like football games, if they so choose.
Weapons in schools were part of a Louisville forum event earlier this month. JCPS School Board member Corrie Shull argued that JCPS is not sole responsible entity for weapons in schools.
"Why are students bringing weapons?" Schull asked.
"Because they know there's no consequence," replied Kentucky Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Louisville.
"No, they're bringing weapons because they don't feel safe in their community," Shull said. "And when people don't feel safe in community, they take their safety into their own hands. That's not a JCPS problem. That's a community problem."
Rep. Nemes followed by applauding Shull's efforts with weapon detectors, but adds more consequences are necessary.
In Hardin County, the school district tested the same Evolv weapon detectors at Central Hardin High School and at its Friday night football game later that night.
"We're just looking at it in a way to even strengthen our security systems that our schools," said John Wright, a spokesman for Hardin County Public Schools.
The system worked. A gun was found on an adult who had a concealed carry permit and that adult was asked to leave the gun in his or her car without incident.
While Wright admits he can't speak for JCPS, he says systems like Evolv can only help improve security.
"I don't think there's any way that we can keep our students too safe," he said.
The exact date when students will start going through the weapon detectors at JCPS schools hasn't been released.
JCPS police is leading the investigation into who might have fired the gun at Male High School.
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- Safety, discipline, future of the district among topics at 'Ideas for JCPS Student Success' forum
- Gunshots fired into air in parking lot after Male High School football game, no one hurt
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