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Rokeisha Smith stood outside Fowler High School on Tuesday with other parents who were trying to get their children out of the school after officials say a student was stabbed inside earlier in the day.
“I feel like my child was held hostage against her will,” Smith said. “All these kids caged in and all these parents out here. Why are our kids being held for two hours?”
According to the district and police, a fight occurred between several students around 9:45 a.m., and a student was stabbed and taken to the hospital.
Syracuse police officers arrested the student suspected of carrying out the stabbing.
While SPD was on the scene conducting a criminal investigation, a stay-in-place order was issued for all staff and students. No one was allowed to enter or leave the building.
“She’s safer at home because I don’t feel like she’s safe right now,” Smith said.
She said she and other parents were not notified by the school of the stay-in-place order. She said she did not find out until she directly contacted the school.
“They didn’t call me. I found out from parents out here on Facebook,” Smith said.
The district did not respond immediately to questions about parental notifications.
In a statement, Superintendent Jaime Alicea said, “I am upset that these students feel that violence is the answer to resolve their issues. We see too many young people across this community resorting to violence.”
“I don’t understand what’s the problem,” Smith said. “How are they getting in this school with knives and guns? You’ve got metal detectors. Are they not working?”
Students were eventually dismissed early.
The district will make the SCSD Crisis Response Team available to students, families and staff. According to the district, any student involved in the fight will face disciplinary action.
“My baby was at risk right now. It could have been her who got hurt. It could have been all these kids, these parents, they could all have gotten hurt. I don’t know what Syracuse is doing about it right now,” Smith said. “Like, these are our kids. When they come to school, you are the parents. We leave them in your hands. You’re supposed to protect them and guide them and keep them safe. That didn’t happen today.”
A spokesperson for Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said he was in direct contact with the superintendent and the chief of police.
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