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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – There were a line of cars outside Merry Oaks Elementary School as parents waited to get their kids Friday afternoon. Β The campus went on lockdown just after 1PM, when police got a call for shots fired at a nearby business. Β Charlotte-Mecklenburg School administrators alerted parents with a ConnectEd message.
“We got a message on our home phone. I mean, it didn’t go into any detail why the school was on lockdown, and I decided to get in my car and come see what’s going on,” says parent Eugene Adams. Β He waited for the lockdown to be lifted before picking up his child. Β Adams says, “I think this could have been handled a little better from the school, letting us know other than just the school was on lockdown.”Β
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CMS also declined to provide any details to WCCB about the lockdown. Β Typically, lockdowns mean no one enters or exits school buildings, interior and exterior doors are locked, and school activities are moved indoors.
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Our cameras captured multiple police officers and cruisers on the Merry Oaks campus. Β The lockdown was lifted shortly before 3pm without incident, and students began to dismiss for the weekend. Β Parent Lucas Archie’s three children attend the elementary school. Β “I have faith in CMS that they will protect my kids,” he says. Β Archie calls the district’s response “very good” and also applauds the local police response. Β He says, “I’m just glad for CMPD. They do a real good job.”Β
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The school is less than a mile from Friday’s shooting scene. Β Still no word on why those shots were fired. Again, no one was hurt.Β
