RICHMOND, Va. -- It has been two days since a kindergarten teacher was attacked by a parent at Linwood Holton elementary, in Northside.
Security has been top of mind for many since then.
The attack occurred at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, just before school was about to begin. The woman accused in the attack is the mother of a child in the teacher's class. The attack was described as unprovoked. No weapons were used, police said.
Following the attack, the mother was able to leave the school and drive away, police said. She then drove to a family member's home where she then allegedly assaulted a relative.
The woman has not yet been charged with a crime. There were several behind-the-scenes issues that prevented police from both commenting and arresting the mother.
Early arriving students are held in the gym and cafeteria prior to school and did not witness the attack.
Parent Raqiyah Waajid commented on the extra helping hands at the school Friday.
“Our watchdogs were there,” she said. “There at the front door there were people stationed all around, keeping a watchful eye.”
Parent and school board member Kim Gray said she believes many Holton parents enjoy the open-door policy at the school.
She knows many parents don’t want to see administrators take away their ability to walk students to their class.
“I think it was an isolated incident,” she said, “and very scary.”
“Unfortunately it happened but it's difficult to screen what parents may or may not be volatile at any point in time,” she added.
Gray said the teacher attack has sparked a security policy discussion across the board within RPS.
Linwood Holton parents will have a seat at the table during a special meeting next week.
“Our school safety and security and Richmond Police Department are working to assess the situation,” Gray said. “And we will have a parent meeting Wednesday to discuss any concerns.”
