LINCOLN PARK (WWJ) – An investigation is underway after a Downriver high school student was caught with a gun and other weapons in their backpack.
Officials at Lincoln Park High School got word from a parent Wednesday afternoon that a student brandished a weapon. While officials say the incident happened outside of school property, administrators began investigating and talked to the student.
They discovered a loaded handgun, ammunition and a knife in the student’s backpack and immediately contacted school resource officers, who arrested the student, who claimed the weapons were brought to school for self-protection.
School officials and police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, but say at this time authorities do not believe there is a threat towards the school district.
Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an extra police presence at schools in the district for the rest of the week.
“The safety and security of our students, staff and families is our number one priority,” Superintendent Terry Dangerfield said in a letter to parents.
The student could face mandatory expulsion.
“At the Lincoln Park Public Schools, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for students carrying firearms of any kind in our schools. Students found violating this policy face mandatory expulsion and potential criminal charges,” Dangerfield’s letter said.
Dangerfield applauded the “swift action” of school administrators and resource officers “to ensure our school district continues to be a safe place for our students and staff.”