A Pennsylvania high school unexpectedly received a box of handguns from a FedEx delivery Friday, August 19, instead of an order of school supplies and textbooks.
School workers at the Chester High School in Delaware County were shocked to find six units of M1 rifles inside the box, prompting a call to the police and the courier service, which admitted to the mistake.
According to the Philly Voice, the gun shipment was supposed to go to an auto repair shop within the county. Chester Police Commissioner Steven Gretsky told NBC Philadelphia that the box did not bear the school's name and address.
However, the police determined that the recipient of the guns had no ill intention to scare the school community. The shipment was legitimate as the operator had a gun license.
However, the Chester Upland School District informed the school community and the parents of the mistaken delivery, as FedEx couldn't collect the package until Monday, August 22, which was the first day of school in the county. The police were in the school when FedEx arrived to take the package back, and there were no students within the immediate vicinity.
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An unacceptable mistake
However, some parents called out FedEx for what they call an unacceptable mistake. One parent posted on Twitter that gun violence is rampant in Philadelphia and that a mishap like this is not what they need.
6 firearms delivered by #FedEx to Chester PA High School loading dock.
— Pyramid45 (@PYRAMID45) August 24, 2022
There's enough gun violence in Philadelphia & the suburbs we don't need these kinds of mishaps in some of the most high gun violence areas! Do better FedEx. 6 firearms in 1 delivered is concerning in itself.
Another parent said she's thinking about switching her daughter to another school because she doesn't want her attending Chester High School anymore if there is a gun collector in the area. Some news outlets also cited that there were 30 guns instead of six, but FedEx said the reported 30 units have been inaccurate, according to Newsweek.
A FedEx spokesperson also extended their regrets to the school community for the delivery mix-up and said they had fully cooperated with the police. The spokesperson said they are taking this matter seriously and will review their internal procedures.
Superintendent Dr. Craig Parkinson spoke to the FedEx driver, who was concerned and apologetic. Parkinson believed the FedEx worker when he said this was an honest mistake.
Gun violence near Chester High School
In 2019, Chester High School was locked down following a street shootout. According to CBS News, the incident was the second reported gun violence. A few days before the shootout, two teenage boys walking home from school were shot in the chest and the foot.
The police determined that both incidents were unrelated, but no arrests were made. Instead, an increased police patrol was established near the school. Some parents, however, said they have been afraid and very concerned for the safety of their kids due to the frequency of shooting in their community.
