Supt. Larson: 'See something, say something'
By:
Jill Meier, Journal editor
High school enters lockdown after report of gun on campus
A report of a gun inside the walls of Brandon Valley High School at approximately 8:15 a.m. Dec. 19 prompted a soft lockdown and resulted in two BVHS students being taken into police custody.
The weapon – a .25 caliber handgun – was not loaded and there was no threat to students or staff, assured Supt. Dr. Jarod Larson and Brandon Police Chief Dave Kull at a news conference later that day.
“Student safety is our number one concern,” Larson said.
He said a key take-away was encouraging students to speak up if they see something dangerous.
“If you see something, say something,” Larson said. “It is absolutely critical to take this opportunity to inform our students that if you see something, say something, because that is what ultimately brought the response. At the end of the day, I would like to thank that student that went to the administrative office and said, ‘Hey, this is what I heard.’”
Kull said the incident came to light about 8:15 a.m. when a student informed high school administrators that another student, who was in class, was in possession of a weapon. Administration immediately notified police, who were on scene within one minute. Within three to five minutes of officers entering the school, Kull said the student was removed from the classroom, along with the student’s backpack, in which the firearm and two sheathed knives were found.
Shortly after, Kull said, a second student who reportedly brought the gun into the school was removed from a separate classroom.
A search of the students’ property, lockers and vehicles revealed no ammunition that would’ve fit the .25 caliber handgun.
“I want to stress that gun was unloaded at the time,” Kull said.
Reportedly, the firearm was brought to school for possible sale or trade between the two students, whose ages and genders were not revealed.
As soon as the two students were removed from their classrooms, the school entered a “soft lockdown,” in which all doors are locked, students are not permitted in hallways, but instruction continues, Larson said.
“We are running an education system. That’s why we entered a soft lockdown, and the reason is we want to minimize the impact on the instructional day,” he said.
Additional interviews were conducted, and within 20-25 minutes of the notification, the soft lockdown was lifted.
The incident was considered “isolated,” Kull said.
“There was no indication that there was any threat at any time to any of the students. There was no plot that was developed,” he said.
Both students were taken into custody, Kull said, and later released to their parents and/or guardians. He said had the students been adults, “they more than likely would’ve gone to jail.”
Counselors were made available to all students.
“Naturally, students have a heightened sense of concern; they are nervous and scared,” Larson said. “Given the nature of the situation, I would say the emotional state of all of our students is appropriate and, again, our high school administration is going to be communicating with them, de-briefing them.”
He said he doesn’t foresee changes to district policy regarding backpacks, and discipline and consequences will be handled in accordance to school policy and state law.
Punishment per school policy is expulsion for a minimum of 12 months, which can be modified on a case-by-case basis with a superintendent’s recommendation, Larson noted.
He commended law enforcement for their efficiency.
“My hat’s off to the Brandon Police Department for how they’ve helped through the situation and again, our high school administration for how they managed the situation effectively.”
