Following the fatal shooting of a student near Washington Preparatory High School in South Los Angeles, California, the community is in mourning while the debate over school safety measures has been reignited. The incident happened on April 15, 2024, shortly after school hours, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the “safe passages” program conceived to safeguard students.
The altercation that led to the shooting started around 3:15 p.m. at the intersection of 108th Street and Western Avenue, Westmont, close to the city of Inglewood and several blocks from the school campus. A cell phone video recorded by a bystander revealed an adult, reportedly a member of the Safe Passages program, refusing to intervene in the conflict. The alarming phrase, “Let them fight. I’m not breaking up s—. I don’t give a f—,” was heard shortly before the situation escalated, and shots were fired, hitting student Elijah McGinnis III, 15. McGinnis was later pronounced dead from his injuries at a local hospital.
All questions regarding the incident have been deferred by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, which is currently investigating the shooting. In the aftermath of national protests against police brutality in June 2020, and local resistance to law enforcement presence on school grounds, LAUSD significantly altered its safety policies. The Board of Education cut the school police budget by 35%, reducing the number of officers and restricting their duties to patrolling, investigating, and crisis response.
Instead, the district increased reliance on the safe passages program, which employs school staff, community volunteers, and private companies to ensure students’ safe commute to and from school. These personnel are not expected to physically intervene in disputes but rather serve as deterrents and notify authorities when needed. This approach’s effectiveness is now being questioned. “We preach to parents that our priority is the safety of the students, and this incident shows otherwise,” Nery Paiz, president of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, stated.
Critics suggest the program requires more training and better coordination with law enforcement. Details about the actions—or lack thereof—by the safety team member heard in the video have not been disclosed, and their identity remains unknown. In response to the shooting, LAUSD officials released a statement stating a review of the incident and district staff and contracted services’ actions. However, this has done little to alleviate community concerns. “Parents want to feel that their children will be free of violence on a school campus,” noted Evelyn Aleman, leader of the parent group Our Voice. “They want to know that the district will be accountable.”
The incident has stirred up discussions regarding the role of police in schools. Advocates for the reduced police presence argue that it deters the criminalization of students, while critics underscore the need for a competent response to such emergencies. School board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing safety through non-police measures, which have shown potential in improving school environments. As debates continue, crisis counselors are available for students and staff, with school police increasing patrols while the investigation proceeds.
