News

Parents say discovery of gun magazine in Medford school was handled poorly

MEDFORD, Mass .-- The discovery of this loaded gun magazine inside McGlynn School late last year didn't just anger parents, it also brought back painful memories for some.

Tonya Sullivan has a child with special needs who attends the middle / elementary school in Medford. She also has a very personal reason for wanting to know how the ammunition ended up in the school, and who it belongs to.

“There's a lot of PTSD associated with it absolutely and it did take me right back,” she said. “I think action needs to happen. This can happen anywhere. I can attest to that. I lost a sister to gun violence.”

Sullivan lost her own sister to gun violence years ago. She said it's something she struggles to cope with, especially after school shootings like what happened in Parkland, Florida.

Dozens of other furious parents and students at a Tuesday night city council meeting where Superintendent Roy Belson apologized for failing to initially report the discovery that was made in December.

“I take responsibility for not reporting it to the chief. But I did so, I believe, in good conscious,” he said.

Belson said he believed the incident was isolated and didn't pose a threat, but to some parents, that answer's not good enough.

“There should be repercussions. People should be fired. The superintendent is liable. The principal, asst. Principal are liable for this,” parent Frank O’Leary said.

There are people in Medford who are now pushing for clearer answers and sweeping changes of school leadership.

“Transparency always. Always,” Sullivan said. “I think we need to know. It's not his child. It's my child.”

Boston 25 News has reached out to several city officials, but none have confirmed if proposed remedies include personnel changes at the district office or McGlynn.

Mayor Stephanie Burke is expected to speak about the issue on Thursday. Boston 25 News will be at that news conference and will continue to follow this story.

>>TOP STORIES: