DALLAS, Texas — Several days after the school shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School, the fear still sits fresh in the minds of many parents.
On Friday, a student brought a gun into the school and shot another classmate in the leg, according to the district. It sent the school into a lockdown and left parents fearful and waiting for answers.
In response to the shooting, Trustee Maxie Johnson held an urgent community meeting Tuesday evening to discuss ways to keep guns out of the hands of students and prevent gun violence.
There are still many questions as to how a gun was able to get into the school, with the metal detectors that are around the building and the clear backpacks students are required to wear.
“We can't cover it up, we've got to clean it up,” Johnson said during the meeting. "I wanna know how does a child get a gun in school? Gun violence is a serious issue."
Johnson said he visited the victim and his mother in their home.
"When I spoke with the young man, he said 'My name was attached to something I wasn't attached to,' I said 'Did you do anything?' He said 'no sir. I guess I was around the wrong people.'"
More than a dozen Dallas ISD parents attended the meeting, which was held 16 miles away from Wilmer Hutchins High School.
“We have members of our community who are experts, who do this for a living,” Johnson said before the meeting. “We're going to listen to them our best to try to bring solutions and implement those solutions within policy and procedure."
“It's been traumatizing for me and my son,” said one mother who wants to remain anonymous for the safety of her son. She was one of the many parents who rushed to the high school once news broke of the shooting.
Toni Johnson, Roosevelt High School Alumni President attended the meeting, but left early. Johnson told WFAA she was disappointed with the meeting and felt it didn't provide real solutions.
"I know everybody that spoke. However, it ain't about y'all. It’s about these kids right now. So, let them speak," Johnson said. "He walked into the school with a gun. What was on his mind? Some of these kids may know. We have to listen."
She said her son has not gone back to school since the shooting happened and that he is struggling to process the events that took place.
“It still replays in her head…and he doesn't feel safe if he comes back to the school,” she said.
She said she hopes a solution will come from this horrific situation.
During the meeting, two Dallas ISD students said backpack checks aren't done consistently, and they're concerned for their safety.
The meeting was held at the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas.