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In a letter to parents of King’s Fork High School students, Principal Derrick Bryant confirmed the death of a student in what he called a “tragic accident.”

“We regret to inform you that this morning, we learned of the passing of one of our students as a result of a tragic accident,” Bryant said in the letter. “Death is a difficult concept to grasp for children and for many adults; the unexpected passing of a child so young makes it even more difficult to process.”

No details have been released on the cause of death. However, a video circulating on social media Thursday morning showed a student waving a firearm around his head. When the weapon appeared to discharge, the video ended.

In the letter, Bryant said Suffolk Public Schools brought in a crisis management team to provide grief counseling and other emotional support for students and faculty.

The letter goes on to say the staff was instructed not to initiate discussion on the death.

“To provide a ‘normal day’ for our students, the administration instructed our staff not to initiate discussions about the matter or allow related conversations to consume instructional time,” the letter reads. “Our staff was encouraged to allow anyone displaying a need for comfort to meet with one of the counselors on hand.”

 

Full text of the letter is below:

Dear Parents and Families,

We regret to inform you that this morning we learned of the passing of one of our students as a result of a tragic accident. Death is a difficult concept to grasp for children and for many adults; the unexpected passing of a child so young makes it even more difficult to process. The Suffolk Public Schools central office acted quickly to support our school family by dispatching a crisis management team who stayed with us today to provide grief counseling and extra emotional support.

Respecting the wishes of the student’s family, we are not releasing the name and we are doing our part to guard the privacy that they have requested. To provide a “normal day” for our students, administration instructed our staff not to initiate discussions about the matter or allow related conversations to consume instructional time. Our staff was encouraged to allow anyone displaying a need for comfort to meet with one of the counselors on hand.

In an effort to respect all of our KFHS parents, we desire to afford you the opportunity to discuss this sensitive situation with your children in a way that is appropriate for your family. It will be important to talk to them and listen to them as they discuss fears or concerns they may have as a result of this heartbreaking news.

If you feel that you and/or your child would benefit from talking with any of our school guidance counselors,school psychologists, or administrative team, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

The King’s Fork High School family extends our heartfelt sympathy to one of our own and appreciates your support as we move forward together.

Very Respectfully,

 

Derrick Bryant, Principal

King’s Fork High School