from the Los Angeles Times:
Gardena High student had brought gun to school previously for protection, friend saysJanuary 18, 2011 | 2:32 pm
The Gardena High School student who police believe accidentally discharged a gun and wounded two other students had brought a weapon to campus “a couple times” before, one of his friends said Tuesday.
Andrea Tibbs, who described herself as a “good friend” of the student, said that he started bringing the gun to campus to protect himself after he had been in a fight outside of school –- an incident, she said, that made him fear for his safety.
Imami Moses, another classmate who knows the student, said, “I saw him today. It was just a normal day. He’s always been nice to me. He’s always been cool.”
....(snip)....
L.A. Unified Police Chief Steve Zipperman said, “It appears to be a possible accidental discharge.” He thinks the gun could have accidentally gone off. When asked about how the gun could have gotten past the school’s metal detectors, Zipperman said officials were looking into how the backpack got into the school. (
Updated, 3:45 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Zipperman as an LAPD captain.) .........(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/01/student-had-brought-gun-to-school-before-for-protection-after-fight-friend-says.html