On Friday, November 17, 2023, at Centennial Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona, a nine-year-old fourth grader lost her life after a large metal gate fell onto her.
This distressing event was reported by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department to have taken place around 2:20 pm. The young girl, identified as Arlette, was helping to close the gate when the accident happened.
Emergency services, including deputies and paramedics from the Northwest Fire Department, were dispatched immediately. They began life-saving measures upon their arrival. Despite these efforts, Arlette was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The circumstances of the accident, specifically the detachment of the gate from its support, are under investigation by the sheriff’s department.
The Flowing Wells Unified School District, responsible for Centennial Elementary, relayed the tragic news to the school’s students and families. Dr. Kevin Stoltzfus, the district superintendent, stated, “This is a truly devastating time for our community,” and informed the school’s families and students about the availability of additional counselors to help students cope.
Dr. Stoltzfus also spoke about the school community’s collective grief and the importance of supporting each other during this difficult time.
The school is accommodating the needs of students in mourning, recognizing the deep emotional impact of the incident.
A spontaneous memorial began forming outside the school on Saturday. Community members came together, leaving balloons, flowers, and stuffed animals in memory of the young girl.
