When 8-year-old Arraya McDonald heard her school was placed on 'lockout' status, she wasn't sure what to think especially after the tragedy in Florida.
"I was afraid of it that there was gonna be a shooting at our school," Arraya said.
Friday morning, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to a call of "shots fired" in the area of Ken Caryl Avenue and C-470. Deputies essentially shut down the entire area including Westridge Elementary where area attends third grade.
"I was thinking that since there was a school shooting in Florida, now it's starting to spread everywhere," Arraya said.
While at home, unable to go to school, Arraya says she had an idea to write President Donald Trump on guns and schools.
"First of all, I had nothing to do and then next, I thought it was a good thing to do," Arraya said.
She picked up her pencil and wrote, "Dear Mr, President. I would like to make a statement to you. Please don't allow guns to anyone in this country. I only think that the army or police should have them."
Arraya wrote that she believes fewer guns would result in fewer school shootings, crime, and accidental gunshot wounds. She handed over her letter to her father John McDonald.
"I was actually stunned, cause you know, she just took it upon herself," John McDonald said. "Usually, she's hanging out doing artwork."
Arraya writes, "Because if a lot of people die, we will have less people. I don't want anything bad to happen to anyone even I don't know him."
John McDonald knows his daughter's ideas are simplistic.
"In her mind, that's her solution," John McDonald said.
Saturday morning, President Donald Trump tweeted that more guns are part of the solution by training and arming teachers to keep schools secure. But, he did say it's an issue every state should decide for itself.
Arraya says she's going to mail her letter to the White House on Monday. Her father can't believe that his little girl has to think about serious matters like this.
"You can tell by the fact that she's just sat down on her own, it's something heavy on her mind," John McDonald said.
Arraya finishes her letter with this, "I try to be nice to everyone except for school shooters because they can kill lots of people and police. Sincerely, Arraya McDonald.
