The school's gun recognition system did not stab a working day, said Superintendent, says Superintendent

Killen, Texas (KWTX/Gray News) – A superintendent in Texas said that a weapon recognition system at a middle school did not work a day when a student was fatally stabbed during a discussion.

Killen ISD superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey also announced on Friday that the 14-year-old Serenity Baker was stabbed in the neck on March 10 with a 3.5-inch tactical folding knife.

“The EVOLV weapon recognition system at the Roy J. Smith Middle School didn't work that day,” said Fey during a press conference.

The school district did not explain why the system didn't work and Fey said it was unclear whether the knife would have been recognized.

The parents spoke about persistent bullying and fights at school and others. Regarding the fatal sting, Fey said that the suspect or baker did not create bullying reports before the deadly incident.

“What we do not know as true at this point was when the students or parents actually made a report, whether orally or on paper to Kisd's employees,” said Fey.

It was also talked about whether either serenity or the suspect was recently brought to school for a knife, but Fey said that was not true.

The superintendent wanted to eliminate confusion about the ability of the staff to react to the fatal incident in good time.

“From times of effect to time, our employees were in seconds,” said Fey.

The district gave the students the rest of the week and an additional day off to help them heal. There is also the opportunity to tighten protocols.

“Including stricter discipline measures and a critical look at our own security procedures and their execution that day. We look at a few things, including the response times and how we communicate with families, ”said Fey.

The school district hired an independent administrative investigation to conclude the ongoing police investigations.

“It is an external investigator who is connected to a lawyer so that he can remove the KISD administration and the potential for distrust in our community,” said Fey.

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