Two school communities in California are mourning the unexpected loss of a young boy. The 6-year-old was attending an after-school event at McKinley Elementary School in Burlingame when he was the victim of an unfortunate accident. Because of his age, many of the details about the boy’s death have been kept private, but school officials reached out to their community to share the news. It was revealed that the boy actually attended a school in a different district, but they didn’t share details either. Now the respective communities will come together to mourn and uplift the boy’s grieving family.
It is unclear what kind of after-school event was happening.
The boy died in an “isolated incident” that took place on May 13, 2026, Burlingame School District Superintendent Marla Silversmith shared in a letter to families viewed by People.
Silversmith explained that “it is being thoroughly reviewed through the proper channels to determine the cause. As the review is ongoing, I am sorry that we are unable to provide additional information at this time.”
She did say the district would close all multipurpose rooms and “reviewing and evaluating” the procedures related to the use of district facilities.
The child’s family said he was killed when a table fell on top of him, People reported, citing the San Francisco Chronicle.
He was identified as Gavin Tsui by the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office, NBC Bay Area reported.
The boy was not a student in the Burlingame School District.
Millbrae Elementary School District Superintendent Lisa Hickey confirmed to NBC Bay Area that he was a student who went to school in another district.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the devastating news of the passing of one of our students who attended Meadows Elementary,” Hickey expressed. “The entire Millbrae community is heartbroken by this tragic loss. There are no words to adequately express the depth of our grief, or the sorrow we feel for the student’s family, friends, caring adults, and classmates.”
Champions, which runs the after-school program at McKinley Elementary School, said the boy was not attending its program. It is unclear what program he was there for.
Angela Swartz, a mom whose 5-year-old attends McKinley Elementary, expressed concern over the lack of information about the boy’s death, the San Mateo Daily Journal reported.
“You want to know that what happened is just an isolated incident,” she said. “You wonder if my kid’s safe going to school? Kids are vulnerable and you want to know they’re safe.”
Even days later, the school districts still didn’t offer details.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat also reported on Gavin’s death and reached out to the relevant parties to try to get more information.
A representative from the Burlingame Police Department directed any questions about the boy’s death to Silversmith. She called the incident a “tragic accident” before saying it happened “in connection with an evening community-based activity” that was held by an organization renting the school’s multipurpose room.
Silversmith then reiterated to the Press Democrat that “out of an abundance of caution” all multipurpose rooms were closed by the district. School officials also are “reviewing and evaluating procedures related to the use and rental of district facilities by third-party organizations.”
She chose not to comment on other more specific questions, including policies, the kind of table that fell, or if any other children saw the incident.
The outlet also reached out to Hickey, who said the district’s “immediate focus right now is on supporting our students, staff, and the family during this unimaginably difficult time.” Even though Gavin’s death happened outside of the district, “as a standard practice, our district continuously reviews all safety procedures, student wellness programs, and school policies throughout the year to ensure we are providing the safest possible environment for our students.”
She added that the district was providing onsite counselors and psychologists to for “emotional support guidance, and a safe space for our students and staff.”
“We are a close-knit community, and we will lean on one another,” Hickey told the Press Democrat. “We ask that you keep the student’s family and our school community in your thoughts.”
