A high school student’s fatal shooting near Washington Preparatory High School in an unincorporated area of South Los Angeles, California, has stirred up a community and rekindled a fervent debate about school safety measures.
The incident, which took place when fights broke out shortly after school ended on April 15, 2024, poses questions about the effectiveness of the “safe passages” program, established to safeguard students.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. at the intersection of 108th Street and Western Avenue, Westmont, near Inglewood, just blocks away from the school. A cell phone video, recorded by a witness, seemingly includes an adult, allegedly a participant in the Safe Passages program, declining to step in during the conflict. Statements such as, “Let them fight. I’m not breaking up s—. I don’t give a f—,” were heard just before gunshots were fired, hitting a student, 15-year-old Elijah McGinnis III, who later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Inquiries about the incident have been redirected by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, which is currently conducting an investigation into the shooting. In the wake of national protests against police brutality and local opposition to law enforcement’s presence in schools, LAUSD implemented significant changes to its safety policies in June 2020. The Board of Education cut the school police budget by 35%, decreasing the number of officers and confining their duties to patrolling, investigating, and crisis response. Simultaneously, the district increased reliance on the safe passages program, employing school staff, community volunteers, and private entities, to ensure students’ safe commute to and from school.
These individuals are not required to physically intervene in confrontations, but are expected to act as deterrents and alert authorities when required. The effectiveness of this strategy is now under review. “We preach to parents that our priority is the safety of the students, and this incident shows otherwise,” said Nery Paiz, president of the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles. Critics argue that the program requires more training and improved coordination with law enforcement. The identity of the safety team member heard in the video remains undisclosed, as do the specifics of their actions—or inactions—during the incident.
In response to the shooting, LAUSD officials issued a statement confirming a review of the incident and the actions taken by district staff and contracted services. However, this has done little to ease the community’s concerns. “Parents want to feel that their children will be free of violence on a school campus,” stated Evelyn Aleman, leader of the parent group Our Voice. “They want to know that the district will be accountable.”
The incident has reignited the discussion around the role of police in schools. Advocates for a reduced police presence believe it prevents the criminalization of students, while opponents emphasize the need for efficient responses to emergencies. School board member Tanya Ortiz Franklin pointed out that ongoing reforms aim to enhance safety through non-police measures, which have demonstrated potential in creating better school environments. As the conversation about balancing a nurturing school environment with ensuring students’ physical safety continues, crisis counselors have been made available to students and staff, and school police have intensified patrols as the investigation proceeds.
