Tennessee’s largest school district says a review of school safety that started after a 13-year-old student was critically wounded in a shooting last year is progressing.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools asked former Memphis police chief Toney Armstrong to lead an assessment of school security after a Sept. 30 shooting inside Cummins K-8 School.
The school was placed on lockdown after the shooting, which police said took place in a stairwell. The wounded boy underwent surgery and returned to school shortly after the shooting.
Another 13-year-old boy pleaded guilty in juvenile court to attempted first-degree murder and was placed in a treatment program.
During his review, Armstrong has hosted focus groups with students, school employees and district security officials, a news release from the school district said Monday.
The district, which includes about 100,000 students, also is considering the possibility of creating a so-called peace force. Superintendent Joris Ray has said the force would include armed officers that would replace sheriff’s deputies in schools.