Boy accused of bringing BB gun is transferred

A Killybrooke Elementary School student was transferred out Thursday after he was accused of bringing a BB gun to school and then threatening a classmate, according to school officials.

“The way we heard about it was from our kids,” said Maureen Mazzarella, whose daughter attends Killybrooke. “My daughter came home from school and said [the child] brought a [BB] gun to school and showed it to other boys.”

That happened Jan. 29, Mazzarella said.

On Thursday the boy verbally threatened another student and was ordered transferred, school officials said. It’s not yet known which school the boy will be assigned to, they added.

School officials could not elaborate because of confidentiality laws.

Principal Katherine Sanchez sent a letter Tuesday to Killybrooke parents telling them that school officials would take action.

“Safety is the most important priority for me at Killybrooke School,” Sanchez said in the letter.

“I can assure you that all appropriate action has been taken to fully investigate the most recent incident and the students have been dealt with in an appropriate manner relative to their age and maturity level.”

Mazzarella said the boy was initially suspended and that her daughter stayed home from school the next day.

When the boy returned to school the girl pretended to be sick because she was afraid, Mazzarella said.

“My daughter has the right to go to school and not be scared,” Mazzarella said. “I don’t believe in lynching up a child, but an example has to be made.”

Sanchez would only say, “We have a policy for student safety that we adhere to very strictly. If that is violated, we follow through methodically.”

Some parents complained they were not given more details.

“It’s very hard for parents to understand confidentiality,” she said. “Any parent that called me, came in or e-mailed me, I got back to.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at [email protected].