A student at Linwood Monroe Arts Plus school brought an unloaded handgun to school Wednesday, sparking a brief lockdown and reigniting safety concerns about an ongoing threat of violence in the St. Paul school district.
After receiving a tip, police and staff searched the building during a 15-minute lockdown, officials said. The weapon was found in a student's locker just before classes began on the upper campus, which houses grades 4-8.
It remains unclear why the child brought the gun in, but school officials said there were no known threats directed at anyone, and no one was injured.
The student was quickly taken into custody by St. Paul police, who are investigating. Minnesota state law and the district have a zero-tolerance policy for possession of firearms on school campus. Violation of the policy can lead to expulsion.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Valeria Silva said it was the second time this year a gun has been confiscated in the district. She credited staff with working "swiftly and appropriately" to neutralize any potential threat.
" … it saddens me that some of our children bring weapons to school. This is not just a school problem or a district problem. This is a reflection of our broader St. Paul and national community," she said.
"Somehow we've got to find a way to put an end to this, and we need everyone to help us — students, staff, families and community. It will take our collective awareness and action to ensure that our schools remain safe and supportive for all students.
In November, a tip helped police recover an unloaded gun and a knife outside Central High School.
