Officials Investigate After Student Brings Gun To School
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Police are investigating after students at ROCORI Middle School reported seeing another student with a gun.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. Tuesday. According to a press release, the principal was able to identify the student in question and searched his locker. A weapon was found and ammunition, which was secured.
The student was also isolated and detained. The principal called other school and law enforcement officials and the incident was turned over to police.
One student, Caleb Conrad, said the gun was actually pulled on him. He said he used to be friends with the student.
"I accidentally bumped into him and then he pulled the gun out of his backpack and said, 'You wanna do that again?' and he had this really weird look on his face like he wanted to hurt me," he said. "I've never seen him act like this, ever."
The school says the risk to others was brief and ended quickly and the student is no longer a threat to anyone in the middle school building.
Still, many students said the situation was "scary."
Under Minnesota law, any student who brings a weapon to school must be expelled for at least a year. The superintendent said that will certainly come into play in this situation.
Scott Staska, ROCORI superintendent, credits the principal's quick action for the safe outcome.
Outside the high school sits the memorial to the victims of the 2003 school shooting, where two students died. Many people admit Tuesday's situation is a painful reminder of what happened then.
"There's no question in our district, that's a part of our history. It's a part of the reaction to anybody who has been a part of this history," Staska said.
The situation is under investigation. At this point, officials aren't releasing what kind of gun was found or the motive of the student to bring the weapon to school.
A telephone message was delivered to parents explaining what happened.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Bruce Hagevik Reports
