VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Security questions remain after Virginia Beach police arrested four teenagers who entered Kempsville High School on Oct. 22 and allegedly assaulted a student.
Ashlynn James, Jalaaiyah Rucker and Kina Pas-Cutler, all 18 years old, were charged with conspiracy to commit trespassing on school property, trespassing, assault by mob and simple assault.
An unnamed 17-year-old female was also charged with conspiracy to commit trespassing on school property and assault by mob.
Following the alleged assault, the principal of Kempsville High School, Melissa George, wrote to the Kempsville community.
"Working in partnership with our Office of Security and Emergency Management," she said, "we have extensively reviewed our security procedures and made necessary adjustments."
13News Now then reached out to Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) and every Virginia Beach school board member about the adjustments, and we were told that the division's late arrival entry protocol was not followed on the day of the incident.
A spokesperson with VBCPS said the teenagers walked into Kempsville High School with bookbags and looked to be the same age as other students. These students did not go through the late arrival entry protocol, so they were not flagged as non-students.
The school resource officer was not in the building at the time of the altercation, because they were out at a training. However, a school safety officer was inside the building, along with security assistants.
Teachers, school staff and security staff broke up the assault, and then Virginia Beach Police arrested the teenagers.
The teenagers did not have weapons on them, though Kempsville High School does not have any weapon detection systems for those who walk through their doors. Renaissance Academy is the only high school in VBCPS that uses metal detectors.
The Department of School Leadership and Office of Security and Emergency Management provided staff at Kempsville High School with additional training on handling late arrivals.
Virginia Beach Superintendent, Dr. Donald Robertson, said in a statement the training will extend to all Virginia Beach schools.
“I share in the concerns of the community about this incident that uncovered a gap in our security measures for late arriving students," Robertson said. "This gap has been addressed with staff and we will be visiting all schools over the coming weeks to ensure all safety protocols are followed without exception. Finally, safety is a responsibility shared by all stakeholders. If you see or hear of something concerning, please contact the school principal or the Office of Security and Emergency Management."