MUSKOGEE, Okla. -- A group of people stood outside Alice Robertson Junior High today in the pouring rain to pray for the students during a lockdown.
Tabitha McReynolds, a mother of a student at ARJH, sat down to talk with her teenage daughter Thursday night, not about clothes, sports, or music but about gun violence.
"We yelled, we cried, you know we actually had a good conversation," said McReynolds.
McReynolds's daughter was terrified after two fellow students at ARJH were arrested for bringing a gun to school Thursday.
"Anxiety was a big deal, she was real stressed that okay people are leaving people are staying where am I supposed to be," said McReynolds.
The following day the school was placed on lock down following a suspicious rumor on social media.
McReynolds turned to what she holds close, her faith.
"We’re here to put some happiness back in Muskogee, we want positivity," said McReynolds.
A group of citizens saw her Facebook post about praying outside the school Friday at noon and joined beside her.
"Kids go through so much and they are our future and we have to pray for them there’s so much hurt, there’s so stress and anxiety and everything else and it’s up to us to take it back," said Steven Phelps, a participant in the prayer.
McReynolds says the principal came out and thanked them for the peaceful prayers.
She hopes the positivity spreads throughout Muskogee and nationwide.
"They’re supposed to be safe at school, us as parents need to feel like whenever they come to school they’re safe," said McReynolds.
Muskogee Public Schools encouraged parents to speak with their kids about the importance of school safety and the appropriate items to bring to school.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
