Gun found in student's backpack at Whitney Young Elementary School on Thursday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A gun was found in a student's backpack at Whitney Young Elementary School on Thursday.

In a letter sent to parents, Principal Erica Lawrence said the school was alerted that a student might have a weapon with them. The school "quickly determined" the student had a gun in their backpack.

Lawrence went on to say in the letter the gun "was never used in a threatening manner," and that the student will be disciplined.

You can read the letter in full below:

September 14, 2023

Dear Whitney Young Elementary School Families,

We work hard each day to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. I’m writing today to provide you with the most accurate information about a situation that impacted our school today.

We received a report that a student might have a weapon with them at school and quickly determined a student had a gun in their backpack. The gun was never used in a threatening manner at our school.

The student who brought the weapon to school will be disciplined according to the Student Support and Behavior Intervention Handbook. Please review this handbook with your student and remind them that no weapon should ever be brought to school.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school office.

Thank you for all you do to support our students and staff at Whitney Young Elementary School.

Sincerely,

Dr. Erica Lawrence

Principal