A Petersburg community is shocked, and a mother faces charges after her child brought a loaded gun to preschool. The incident happened on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Westview Early Childhood Education Center, where a 5-year-old student had a handgun in their backpack.
Pat Hines, whose grandson and great-grandson attend the preschool, said, “It was tragic, but it could have been worse — so, in that case, we’re thankful.” Hines was horrified when she first heard the news, worrying about young children having access to a gun.
A teacher noticed the gun in the student’s backpack and immediately alerted school officials, who contacted the School Resource Officer. The officer secured the weapon until police arrived.
Thankfully, no one was harmed. However, Hines believes this should never have happened, saying, “We as parents and grandparents have a responsibility to be accountable.”
The child’s mother, 26-year-old Brianne Lucas, has been charged with felony child neglect and reckless handling of a firearm. She is being held without bail until her court hearing.
As of 2023, the Petersburg City Public School system, where the Westview preschool is located, requires students to use clear backpacks.
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