Records show hundreds of violent incidents, guns found at Columbus schools since 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three guns have been confiscated from Columbus city school students since the start of the school year this fall.

CrimeTracker 10 made a public records request that revealed hundreds of incidents of gun violence and gun violence in the district’s schools over the past few years.

Columbus Police Department records show that between January 2019 and June 6, 2022, there were 127 reports of fights at 36 middle and high schools in the area. There were also 111 reports of assault and 56 reports of weapons being found on campus. Please note that students were not in the building from March 2020 to August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Melissa Tate became a victim while teaching at Wedgwood High School. Tate’s car was stolen while she was teaching.

“I was furious. Did I feel like I was working for someone to come and take my car and take my paycheck? I was very offended. It really confused me,” Tate said.

“I had a 2017 Hyundai Tuscon,” Tate said. – My car was stolen in 10 seconds. What was interesting was that when my car left, another car, just like mine, left right after it.’

Regina Fuentes, who has worked in the district for 23 years, loves being a teacher. What she doesn’t like is worrying about her own safety.

“I have my concerns, and I think my colleagues have their concerns as well, because volatile situations can arise instantly and we don’t always have security measures in place. At least it’s not like that,” Fuentes said.

Between January 1, 2022 and June 6, police responded to 28 reports of fights, 27 reports of assaults and 8 reports of weapons on campus.

“Everything that happens in the neighborhood will find its way into the schools,” Fuentes said.

That’s why Fuentes is paying close attention to juvenile delinquency in the city.

“A lot of these kids are actually Columbus residents. This means they are most likely connected to our schools. That’s why we’re pushing for more social and emotional care in buildings,” Fuentes said.

Of the district’s schools, South High School had 111 calls to police last school year, Linden-McKinley had 91 and Walnut Ridge had 66.

The district said it has 123 unarmed security and safety officers who move between schools as needed.

The Columbus Board of Education did not renew its contract with the Columbus Police after protests in the summer of 2020 to have school resource officers in the buildings.

Fuentes said she doesn’t know if the officers had an impact on the situation or not, but said the children need social service programs.

“Students need to get help before it gets to the point where an officer is needed,” Fuentes said.

10TV asked to speak to Principal Talisa Dixon for an interview for this story, but she referred us to the school board. 10TV reached out to board chairwoman Jennifer Ader for an interview, but she declined to speak.

CrimeTracker 10: Recent coverage ⬇️