Three teenagers were charged after an unloaded airsoft gun was flashed in a bathroom at St. Paul's Central High School last week.
A student was punched following the Sept. 18 incident, but no other injuries were sustained. School staff found three folding knives, and the school was placed on lockdown for 85 minutes while police investigated, according to a letter sent by Principal Mary Mackbee.
"Over the weekend, two students made plans to fight each other at school," she wrote in a letter posted to the school's website the day of the incident. "During an early lunch period, a verbal confrontation turned physical in the hallway. Other students followed to watch. At the same time, we also received reports that a weapon was shown in the bathroom before the fight."
Police spokesman Steve Linders said that one of the fight participants flashed the gun, which had the appearance of a standard gun.
"The sight of the gun created a chaotic situation and people scattered," Linders said.
Out in the hall, Linders said, one of the fight participants was punched by another student. He was taken to Regions Hospital and did not sustain serious injury.
The knives were not used in the assault.
According to the Ramsey County attorney's office: a 14 year-old male was charged with two felony counts — terroristic threats and possession of a dangerous weapon on school property — and one gross misdemeanor count of obstruction of legal process. A 15 year-old male was charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree assault and a 15 year-old male was charged with felony possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and gross misdemeanor third-degree riot.
