YORK – York High School goes on lock-down after one student tells a school resource officer he saw another student with a gun.
York police say, had a middle school student not come forward, they likely would have never been alerted to this potential threat at the high school.
For one student, the scare started on a school bus this morning. Police say a middle school student thought he saw a high school student with what looked like a gun. The bus driver first dropped off high school students. So when the middle school student got to school, that student immediately told the school resource officer about it.
“I think it was a smart choice on that child’s part. It’s what they have to do.” Mimi Stevens, Mother of Two Daughters in High School
York Police Sgt. Luke Ernenwein “Seeing something and saying something to either a school staff member or the SRO’s is hugely important.”
After alerting the high school resource officer, principal and police, York High School was placed on immediate lock-down.
“They just announced there’s a lock-down. And you could tell that it wasn’t a drill; that it was real.” Chris D’Aquila, York High School Senior “Everyone was kind of scared.”
Police tell us six officers got to the school within minutes. By then, the principal found out what classroom the student with the weapon was supposed to be in at that time. With some officers guarding the halls, the principal and a group of officers went to that classroom, located, and apprehended the student.
“At no time were the staff or the students threatened or in danger.” Debra Dunn, York Superintendent “It’s what the world is coming to sometimes. But you try to know the children are in the right place and they’re safe. And they have good protection at York schools.”
Police retrieved the weapon, which turned out to be a knife in its sheath. Police say the handle could easily be mistaken for the handle of a gun. Some parents here tell us police told them that the student never intended to harm anyone. He’s now facing a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
“There an investigation underway. The student is a juvenile. And that investigation will determine if there are any further charges.” Sgt. Luke Ernenwein, York Police
Mother of two daughters in high school “It’s a scary world sometimes. And we have to protect our children.”
