Schools in Atlanta were put on a heightened alert Friday as a result of the mass killing in Connecticut. FOX 5's Morse Diggs spoke with the chief of school security and with parents as they picked up their kids from Morningside Elementary School.
Though Friday's tragedy happened hundreds of miles away, school officials say they know it's important for them to tighten security locally. School security chief Marquenta Sands said the district raised their security level to heightened after the mass shooting in Connecticut was reported just to remind their administrators and staff to remain vigilant. She told FOX 5 the district has emergency management plans in place, and all of their staff has been trained on how to handle emergent situations.
Parents waiting for their kids outside of Morningside Elementary School on Friday said they would squeeze their students a little tighter when they got them home. Many parents told FOX 5 their
hearts hurt for the families of the children and adults killed in
Connecticut. They say the tragedy has
shattered their belief that schools are a safe haven for kids, and they know that
something like that could happen in any city—even theirs.
Monday, December 17 2012 9:22 AM EST2012-12-17 14:22:54 GMT
The tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday is hard for adults to process, but it's even worse for children.
The tragedy that took place in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday is hard for adults to process, but it's even worse for children. Some parents spent their weekend trying to figure out how to discuss the shootings with their kids, and those talks will likely continue.
Monday, April 8 2013 12:51 PM EDT2013-04-08 16:51:11 GMT
The schoolchildren are remembered for their love of horses, or for the games they couldn't get enough of, or for always saying grace at dinner. The adult victims found their life's work in sheltering little ones.
The schoolchildren are remembered for their love of horses, or for the games they couldn't get enough of, or for always saying grace at dinner. The adult victims found their life's work in sheltering little ones.
Monday, December 17 2012 7:24 PM EST2012-12-18 00:24:59 GMT
The U.S. Postal Service has set up a special post office box for people to send letters of condolence to the Newtown, Conn. community shaken by Friday's deadly shooting.
The U.S. Postal Service has set up a special post office box for people to send letters of condolence to the Newtown, Conn. community shaken by Friday's deadly shooting.
Sunday, December 16 2012 5:12 PM EST2012-12-16 22:12:13 GMT
Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square on Sunday that he is praying for the families of the 20 children and six adults who were killed during a shooting rampage.
Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square on Sunday that he is praying for the families of the 20 children and six adults who were killed during a shooting rampage.
Saturday, December 15 2012 7:35 PM EST2012-12-16 00:35:51 GMT
Investigators tried to figure out what led a bright but painfully awkward 20-year-old to slaughter 26 children and adults at a Connecticut elementary school.
Investigators tried to figure out what led a bright but painfully awkward 20-year-old to slaughter 26 children and adults at a Connecticut elementary school.
A group of metro Atlanta business community leaders are pledging $10.5 million to improve one of the state's busiest and most congested freeway interchanges.
A group of metro Atlanta business community leaders are pledging $10.5 million to improve one of the state's busiest and most congested freeway interchanges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:23 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:23:35 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:32:36 GMT
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife.
Testimony continued Wednesday in a Fulton County courtroom in the case of a Sandy Springs man accused of gunning down his wife. Prosecutors say Michael Parson shot his wife, Adina, eight times in April 2012 outside their apartment.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:28:25 GMT
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe.
Authorities have canceled an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old girl after she was found safe. They say 1-year-old Annya Buchannon was in the back of a car that was stolen just after midnight from the Playskool Daycare on Conley Road in Forest Park.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:24:23 GMT
Atlanta fire crews are battling a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown.
Atlanta fire crews battled a huge, two-alarm blaze at an automotive business downtown on Wednesday morning. Authorities say the fire sparked at United Transmission Service, which is located at 350 Marietta Street NW.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges. Brooks pleaded not guilty before Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman.
State Representative Tyrone Brooks appeared in federal court on Wednesday morning to answer to fraud charges.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:53 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:53:01 GMT
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Tuesday morning.
Five people made a quick escape from a MARTA bus just before it was hit by a train Wednesday morning. Fire crews say the bus stalled on the railroad tracks in downtown Decatur, and those onboard had just seconds to get out before an oncoming train hit it.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:55:01 GMT
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Jersey shore town is celebrating a milestone as it rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy. Belmar officials will reopen their 1.3-mile boardwalk that was destroyed by the October storm.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:27 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:27:26 GMT
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Black and Hispanic men are more likely to be stopped in the Bronx and Brooklyn than other boroughs, according to an analysis of police street stop data released Wednesday by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:10 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:10:42 GMT
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police.
The NYPD arrested a suspect in the latest anti-gay attack in the city, said police. The incident Monday night involved two men, who police say, had met at the Bowery Mission and went out drinking together in the East Village. Roman Gornell, 39, was arrested on Wednesday.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:23 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:23:21 GMT
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race.
Ex-congressman Anthony Weiner whose career imploded after raunchy tweets said in a YouTube video announcement that he's in the New York City mayoral race. A poll released Wednesday placed Weiner in second place behind City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a Democratic primary.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:10:21 GMT
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Commuter rail service from Connecticut to New York City, along with Amtrak service between Boston and New York, was back on schedule Wednesday morning on one of the nation's oldest and most heavily traveled railways.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:42:24 GMT
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.
The National Weather Service is looking into whether a tornado touched down in a rural eastern New York county during a series of severe thunderstorms that rumbled across the upstate region.