Students at Castle View Elementary School in Riverside returned to school Monday, welcomed with signs and banners nearly one week after a father held a teacher hostage in a classroom for six hours. Police were on campus to make everyone feel safe about their return. Jonathan Gonzalez reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017.
Students returning to school Monday nearly a week after a parent took a teacher hostage at a Riverside elementary school the morning of Halloween were greeted with a teddy bear to help them transition back.
The teddy, reading "Castle View Courage," was intended to show the students, parents and staff that the community supports them. They would also receive T-shirts bearing the same message.
The previous Tuesday, 27-year-old Luvelle Kennon, upset for unknown reasons, barged onto Castle View Elementary school campus. He attacked a man near the office before taking a first-grade teacher hostage for almost seven hours, then was ultimately shot when officers stormed the classroom.
He later died at the hospital.
The school, located on Shaker Drive near Century Avenue in the Canyon Crest area of the city, was placed on lockdown in the afternoon and then evacuated.
Dozens of signs showing support covered the entrance of the school Monday morning ahead of the students' return.
They were also to be greeted by police officers and students from other schools to help them feel safe.
