PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — A Petersburg community is on edge following a troubling incident where a 5-year-old child brought a loaded gun to preschool. The gun was discovered in the child’s backpack at the Westview Early Childhood Education Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
Parents of students at the school are expressing concern after the handgun was found in the student’s backpack, though no one was injured.
Pat Hines, whose grandson and great-grandson attend the preschool, called the situation “tragic,” but expressed relief that things didn’t turn out worse. “It could have been worse — so, in that case, we’re thankful,” she said.
Hines, who was shocked by the discovery, said her immediate reaction was one of disbelief. “I was mortified that 3 and 4-year-olds would have access to a firearm,” she added.
A teacher at the school noticed the weapon in the backpack and immediately alerted school officials, who then contacted the School Resource Officer. The officer secured the gun until police arrived.
The weapon was safely recovered, and fortunately, no one was harmed. However, Hines stressed that such incidents should never happen. “As parents and grandparents, we have a responsibility to be accountable,” she said. “There is no excuse for a 3- or 4-year-old to have access to a weapon like this.”
The child’s mother, 26-year-old Brianne Lucas, has been charged with felony child neglect and reckless handling of a firearm. She is currently being held without bail pending her next court appearance.
The Westview Early Childhood Education Center is part of the Petersburg City Public School system, which, as of 2023, has a policy requiring clear backpacks for all students.
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