________________________________________________________________ District Beefs Up Security After Shootings Dec 3, 2004 8:47 am US/Eastern Pittsburgh (KDKA) The superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools is taking action after shootings near two city schools Thursday, one of which sent a 16-year-old to the hospital. "Superintendent of Schools John Thompson has directed all schools in the northern and western communities to keep everyone inside the building... All doors will be secured at all times and no one other than students and School District officials will be admitted to the building..." -- Pittsburgh Public Schools Rob Barnes, 16, was shot in the leg as he walked to Langley High School around 7:30am yesterday in Sheraden. Barnes managed to make it about a block to the school where administrators called for help. He was treated and released from Children's Hospital. About four hours later, Pittsburgh police say someone fired shots -- hitting seven parked cars near Oliver High School. Two witnesses led authorities to a 17-year-old student at the high school, who is now in police custody. In light of the incidents, the district issued an advisory alerting staff and parents that it was beefing up security to help ensure students' safety. According to the advisory, Superintendent John Thompson told all schools in those areas to keep everyone inside all day Friday. In addition, only students and staff will be allowed into the buildings during school hours and all doors will be secured. Pittsburgh Public Schools Advisory: The following is the complete text of the advisory issued this afternoon by Pittsburgh Public Schools: "In response to two incidents involving gunfire that occurred in the vicinity of two of our schools, Superintendent of Schools John Thompson has directed all schools in the northern and western communities to keep everyone inside the building for the balance of the school day as well as Friday, December 3. All doors will be secured at all times and no one other than students and School District officials will be admitted to the building while school is in session. These steps are being taken to safeguard students and staff. In the first incident, a Langley High School student sustained a leg injury on his way to school and was treated at a local hospital. No one was injured in the second incident, but cars parked near Oliver High School were damaged. Both incidents are being investigated by Pittsburgh Police, with the full cooperation of School Police." ________________________________________________________________ i go to that school. that day is a day i was staying home. its weird to think that i could have been shot.
