Unloaded gun, knife found around St. Paul Central High School

November 7, 2015 at 2:41AM

Police and school staff members on Friday recovered two weapons — an unloaded gun and a knife — at or near St. Paul Central High School, after receiving information provided by students.

The gun was recovered by police from a parked car across the street from the school, district spokeswoman Toya Stewart Downey said, and the knife was found in a student's backpack in the school.

In both cases, she said, no one was threatened or harmed.

The weapons were found Friday morning after other students reported to school staff members that they had overheard some rumors.

"We're always appreciative of students who alert staff to rumors … so that staff can check into it," Stewart Downey said. "We want to keep our schools safe for all students."

According to data from the St. Paul Police Department, Friday's incidents appear to be the second and third involving reports of weapons found at Central this school year.

Police data show there have been six previous reported incidents of weapons found or brought to St. Paul Public Schools this fall, including Humboldt and Johnson high schools. A loaded gun was discovered in a student's backpack Oct. 21 at Harding High School.

James Walsh

about the writer

about the writer

James Walsh

Reporter

James Walsh is a reporter covering St. Paul and its neighborhoods. He has had myriad assignments in more than 30 years at the Star Tribune, including federal courts and St. Paul schools.

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