The principal of a California elementary school was placed on administrative leave after children and parents complained about her behavior during an active shooter drill.
Dr. Nina Denson allegedly pretended to shoot students and told one boy, “Boom, you're dead,” while conducting an unauthorized lockdown drill, local news station KTLA reported.
“She proceeded to walk around campus and pretend to shoot people she saw using finger movements and banging on windows,” parent Jennifer Chaves told the outlet. “From what I heard, she told one of the students, 'Boom. You're dead.'”
Chavez said her son, who is in first grade, was traumatized by the incident.
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A general view of Washington Elementary School in San Gabriel, California. (Google Street View)
“Oh, I was really upset,” he told KTLA. “The only shocking and surprising thing he said when he was 6 years old was, 'I'm so glad none of my friends died.'”
There were reportedly children as young as 4 years old at the school who witnessed Denson's alleged actions.
San Gabriel Unified School District Jim Symonds said the active shooter drill was unauthorized and did not follow district policy.
“This type of drill where a scenario was performed is not approved by the district nor is it part of our district protocol,” Symonds told the news station.
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Dr. Nina Denson, principal of Washington Elementary School, was placed on leave after parents complained about her behavior during a school shooting drill. (Nina Denson | LinkedIn)
School staff members reportedly claimed that Denson made an announcement after the drill saying that seven children had died.
“Can you imagine the trauma these kids could go through just thinking, 'Oh my God, they killed my friend,' or 'They shot me and told me I died,'” said mother Anna Bustamante. “The young age of these children was very disturbing.”
KTLA reported excerpts from an email sent to parents after the incident that said, “The conduct of the drill does not appear to have been in line with the District's protocols or best practices.”
The report says an investigation has been opened. Some parents are already calling for Denson to be removed.
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Jennifer Chavez, a San Gabriel Unified School District parent, told local station KTLA that Denson “proceeded to walk around campus and pretended to shoot people he saw using finger movements and banging on windows.” (Google Street View)
“I don't want her to come back here at all,” Chavez said. “She doesn't have the trust of the community.”
Several staff members were also reportedly upset by Denson's alleged actions. District officials said KTLA counselors were available on school grounds for any students or staff who might need those services.
A veteran Washington Elementary teacher has taken over as interim principal while the investigation continues, KTLA reported.
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Denson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
There are 5,175 students enrolled in the San Gabriel Unified School District, which operates eight schools.
