PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- Concerned Plainfield parents questioned how safe their children really are Tuesday as a man with a handgun was removed from a meeting meant to address their fears.
The community meeting -- hosted by officials from Plainfield and Indiana State Police, as well as the FBI – was scheduled after weeks of ongoing threats against Plainfield High School by an anonymous Facebook user under the moniker "Brian Kil."
Police began the meeting saying more than 200 subpoenas had already been served in the case.
Special Agent Jay Abbott, who oversees the FBI's Indianapolis division, said he is the parent of three children and he understands what parents in the community must be thinking.
The evening was derailed, however, when a man found with a handgun was escorted out of the meeting by police.
BREAKING: Man just escorted out of #Plainfield auditorium with handgun. He was placed in cuffs in the hallway. pic.twitter.com/V8CuB6NS0I
— Paris Lewbel (@PLewbel) January 19, 2016
Watch police escorting that man out of the auditorium in the video player above.
Police said the man, identified as Ronald Kendall, of Avon, told other people in the audience he had a gun.
Kendall told police he'd brought the firearm to the meeting so he could feel safe. He was preliminarily charged with possession of a firearm on school property.
Police responded to questions about why people weren't searched coming into the meeting by saying they "didn't believe tonight's event was a threat."
A crying mother asked how she can trust her daughter will be safe after a man came into the meeting with a handgun.
Mom crying as she asks a question, says how can trust her daughter to be safe after a man comes into the auditorium with a handgun. @rtv6
— Paris Lewbel (@PLewbel) January 19, 2016
"I promise you, the folks in this room will do everything to find peace for you," Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter said in response.
Police eventually closed the meeting despite protests from attendees that questions remained.
Mom says she was here for lunch the other day and she wasn’t searched. Asking officials why she wasn’t.
— Paris Lewbel (@PLewbel) January 20, 2016
Plainfield Police official just ended the meeting as questions were still being asked. Angry people now… @rtv6
— Paris Lewbel (@PLewbel) January 20, 2016
Call 6 Investigator Paris Lewbel was at the meeting. Find his updates from the proceeding below:
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