On Friday, a student was shot at Forest High School in Marion County. Thankfully, there are no life-threatening injuries and the shooter is in custody. Then, a young man opened fire at a Waffle House in Tennessee. These are sad reminders that violence is a real and recurring problem in our schools and communities.
To combat school violence, Congress recently passed the STOP School Violence Act to provide more resources for training and conducting evidence-based school threat assessments. It also empowers local law enforcement, school administrators and personnel, and students with the tools and skills necessary to safeguard our schools.
There are many questions that hopefully will be answered during the police investigation. I am praying for the students, families and first responders involved. I thank the law enforcement officials, and particularly the school resource officer, for his swift response to apprehend the shooter.
I recently met with high school students, teachers, school leaders, principals, administrators and local law enforcement across my district to discuss school safety. I am committed to continue these conversations as the STOP School Violence Act is implemented and the results of the police investigation are released to learn what works and what doesn’t to improve school safety.
Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.
