Statement Regarding Tanglewood Middle School
From Roger Meek, Board Chair, Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees:
The Greenville County Schools Board of Trustees extends our deepest sympathies and prayers to the family of the student who passed away in the shooting at Tanglewood Middle School today. No child should lose their life in a needless tragedy like this, and no family should have to endure the pain of losing a child.
We are grateful to the Tanglewood staff, the Greenville County Schools district staff, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that responded so quickly and effectively.
While it appears that everyone responded appropriately and efficiently, every incident provides an opportunity for us to evaluate our emergency response plans and determine what works and what improvements can be made moving forward. The safety of our students and staff has been and will continue to be a priority at Greenville County Schools.
From Dr. Burke Royster, Superintendent, Greenville County Schools:
We are deeply saddened to hear that the student victim in the shooting at Tanglewood Middle School passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his fellow students, the staff members at the school and everyone who knew this child. This is an absolute tragedy, and we will continue to do whatever we can to support his family and the Tanglewood community as they mourn the young life that was lost today.
We want to recognize the tremendous response from Principal Walles and the staff at Tanglewood, the school resource officer, Sheriff Hobart Lewis, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and the multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies who all responded rapidly in accord with our emergency response plan.
As is standard practice any time there is an incidence in Greenville County Schools or a significant event across the country, we review our specific responses and review our emergency response plans in general to see if there’s something that may have been done more effectively or would enhance the safety and security of students and staff moving forward.
Thank you to Brookwood Church for serving as the reunification site where students from Tanglewood Middle School could be picked up by their parents. The district’s emergency response plan has multiple sites that are pre-determined as reunification sites based on criteria that’s needed to respond effectively in an emergency, and we are very appreciative of Brookwood Church’s willingness to serve the community in this way and their effectiveness at responding to this crisis.
From Dr. Graysen Walles, Principal, Tanglewood Middle School:
My heart goes out to the family of our student who passed away, and my prayers are with them. Our entire Tanglewood family is hurting with this news and from the events that took place today. Our school is mourning and will work together to heal and process this tragedy.
