Mount Vernon city officials announced Friday that two students were taken into police custody after two weapons were found inside two schools.
Many parents said they were scared and upset to hear about the discoveries, especially because this has been an ongoing issue.
The city says two students were arrested and charged with weapons possession.
First, around 8 a.m., Mount Vernon High School officials told police they found a 15-year-old with a knife. The knife was recovered, and the teen was taken into custody.
Then at about 11a.m., Lincoln High School officials told police they found a 14-year-old with what they thought may have been a BB gun. Mount Vernon police took the gun and that teen into custody. A statement from the district says police believe it was an unloaded foldable gun.
The discoveries come after pleas from advocates this week to save Mount Vernon from violence following an intruder getting into an elementary school and three teens who have been killed in the city this year.
"I feel scared to bring my kids to school. I worry constantly. I pray that nothing like this will happen again and a scare like this is terrible," said Lincoln School parent Zana Vassell
Acting Superintendent K. Veronica Smith said an anonymous call at Lincoln alerted staff to the gun. She said the school was in a hold in place to keep everyone safe. She added that the district appreciates the anonymous call, and she asks for the community's continued help as the district works to provide the safest possible learning environment.
The district just released an updated school safety plan this week, which includes installing more cameras and working with a security consultant.
The incidents happened as advocates are calling on leaders to do more on gun violence.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard recently revealed a new public safety plan in her State of the City.
The incidents also happened after a family buried their teenager who was the third killed from violence this year alone.
Parents told News 12 they want more work on safety. Mount Vernon High School student Kevin Benjamin said he is already noticing changes as it now takes longer to get in the building.
"They're doing way more. They're making us take our stuff out of our pockets and check our bags," Benjamin said. He added that he knows adults are trying but still does not think they can do much to stop it.
"I know I'm like never really safe here, but it's something I have to deal with because I have to go to school," he said.