3 men arrested for gun possession following disturbance at Brooklyn Center H.S. graduation ceremony

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (WCCO) – Three men were arrested Wednesday evening for carrying guns following a disturbance at Brooklyn Center High School's graduation ceremony.

Police in the suburb north of Minneapolis say that officers were already at the school when administrators informed them that they had removed three men they believed were armed with guns. Using descriptions given by witnesses, officers found the men walking away from the building. The men were not Brooklyn Center students.

They were arrested at an apartment building after the ceremony. Police searched the men and found two handguns. One of the firearms was reported stolen out of Brooklyn Park, and the other did not have a serial number.

After the ceremony ended, three other men - none of whom were students - approached and assaulted a graduate. Police intervened to stop the incident, Brooklyn Center Community Schools officials said.

"The events that occurred at commencement this year have prompted district administration to re-think the way we celebrate these joyous events to ensure the safety of all students, staff, and families," school officials said in a statement. "We are also working collaboratively with the city and law enforcement to conduct an after-action review in order to process response and plan together as we move forward."