OKAY, Okla. -- Signs are put in multiple locations around Okay schools with the same message.
Some teachers are armed, and ready to defend their students. With recent threats hitting close to home, families say they're grateful for this resource.
School staff reached out to the Wagoner County Sheriff's Office Wednesday when photos from a 15-year-old student surfaced Wednesday saying "Whoa ready for me to come back to school tomorrow?? Slide up."
The student was suspended for bringing a knife and taser to campus last month. Deputies took him into custody Thursday. Families in the neighborhood hope signs warning of armed teachers would prevent a threat from escalating into action.
"I think they'll think twice before they want to do anything. I think they would. I don't know. I don't know how people think these days it's pretty crazy," Okay grandparent Kathy Casey said.
Some parents said with recent events they've considered taking students out of school, but tell 2 Works for You having guns on campus gives peace of mind.
"It was very scary. I didn't want to send my child to school. But at the same time I knew the teachers were armed and they would have a safe zone for the kids to protect them," Heather Dixon said.
Dixon used to attend Okay schools herself. She said these types of concerns are a recent development, and she's glad schools are taking action.
"I think it's a great, unique situation. But at the same time it's not really showing them an education. It's great to be able to keep your kids in a safe zone but at the same time, why are we having to arm our schools?" Dixon said.
Deputies said the student told them he borrowed the rifle from a friend before taking the Snapchat. They did not find weapons while searching his home.
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