This was previously published in our April 2026 issue.
Additional reporting by Jessi Hahn.
Administration found a loaded “ghost gun” at Emmaus High School on March 25 at approximately 10:20 a.m. While no threats or injuries occurred, questions regarding the security measures at EHS arose.
Shortly after the incident occurred, senior Samantha Garcia learned about the situation when her parents texted her about it.
“I was kind of scared because I thought that there was going to be a school shooting, but then there [were] a ton of rumors, so I was kind of just confused and worried,” Garcia said.
During the school day, Principal Guarriello made an announcement over the intercom calling for a medical lockdown.
After the situation was resolved and messages to the community went out, students discovered the true nature of the emergency. Some believed the school’s response was inappropriate for the situation; however, in the moment Principal Guarriello believed the
medical lockdown to be the most efficient way to clear the hallways for the situation.
“I didn’t want people cowering in their corners and running out of the building or doing anything like that because it was all contained and the police had everything secured at that point,” Principal Guarriello said, “so the medical lockdown protocol is what I
needed everyone to follow.”
In the days following the incident, Principal Guarriello visited several classrooms to answer students’ questions regarding the incident.
“[Principal Guarriello] came into my classroom and talked to us about it, and explained her side of the story. It definitely cleared up the air for me and I understood it more,” Garcia said.
Since the incident, Principal Gurarriello has met with administration and local police to discuss possible security changes. While no changes have been made yet, discussions regarding increasing security measures at EHS have prevailed in recent weeks.
“Everything right now [in terms of increasing EHS’ security measures] is on the table for discussion,” Principal Guarriello said.
Metal detectors, one of the discussed possible security additions, have already been enforced in some high schools. While having metal detectors may sound good on paper, large costs and difficulties could arise if the change were to be added.
An EHS student, who requested to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, believes that the implementation of metal detectors may be tedious and improbable.
“I don’t know how [they’d] strengthen [security measures]. What are [they going to] do, have a metal detector? Everyone has metal in their backpacks,” the anonymous student said.
The days following days the incident were filled with discussion between students, empty desks from nervous students, and fear each time the intercoms interrupt classes.
“It makes me very sad that we have to even be thinking about these things,” Principal Guarriello said. “I want to talk about math and English and science class. And music and art, and I want to talk about education and academics and helping kids grow.”
