A six-year-old boy was killed in a tragic accident during an after-school program in California.
Gavin Theodore Tsui died on May 13 after a table fell on him at McKinley Elementary School, Burlingame School District Superintendent Marla Silversmith said in a message obtained by San Mateo Daily.
Gavin was not a student at McKinley, but was participating in a private organization that was renting space at the elementary school.
The superintendent described the incident as an 'isolated tragedy' and confirmed that firefighters and first responders were on the scene.
'While we believe this was an isolated incident, it is being thoroughly reviewed through the proper channels to determine the cause,' Silversmith said.
The district has not disclosed which private organization was using the school space at the time of his death.
Additional details about how the incident unfolded have not been released, as the district cited the family’s privacy and an ongoing investigation.
Silversmith also said the district took precautionary steps after the table fell.
Gavin Theodore Tsui died on May 13 after a table fell on him at McKinley Elementary School
Burlingame School superintendent Marla Silversmith
This included securing and temporarily closing all multi-purpose rooms district-wide, while reviewing procedures for third-party use of school spaces.
McKinley Elementary School hosts several after-school activities, including sports and dance programs, and enrichment classes like Spanish.
A separate before- and after-school private program called Champions, which operates at the school, confirmed Gavin was not enrolled in its program, and it remains unclear which organization he was part of.
'Our hearts are with the family, loved ones, and all those impacted by this heartbreaking loss,' Silversmith said.
The district said counseling and additional support services will be made available to students and families in the wake of the tragedy.
Nicole Czalon, a parent in the Burlingame School District, told NBC she was shocked by the tragedy.
'It's just sad, you have your kid going there and something could have happened to us,' she told the outlet.
'My daughter is five-years-old and she does get nervous about some of that stuff,' she added.
The district said counseling and additional support services will be made available to students and families in the wake of the tragedy
Nicole Czalon, a parent in the Burlingame School District, told NBC she was shocked by the tragedy
The Burlingame School District has not disclosed which private organization was using the school space at the time of his death
McKinley Elementary School hosts several after-school activities, including sports and dance programs, and enrichment classes like Spanish
Tributes flooded Facebook, with social media users mourning the boy’s horrific death.
'To the parents, there are truly no words that can ease this kind of pain, but I hope we can all come together to support them in any way possible,' one person wrote.
Another posted: 'Praying for the family and whoever seen this happen.'
'Rest in peace for this lovely boy! So sad to hear that,' one user wrote.
The six-year-old's obituary read that he 'will be remembered with honor and affection by family, friends, and all whose lives were touched by their presence.'