RAPID CITY, S.D. – Law enforcement in Rapid City say a toy pistol caused concern Thursday, forcing Stevens High School and several other area schools to go into secure status.
Captain Dustin Morrison with the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office says it all began when they received reports from a student prior to the beginning of school that another student from Stevens who was waving a firearm in the school parking lot.
Police learned that the gun was a toy pistol and had been ditched by the individual a short time after leaving the area. Law enforcement confirmed the gun was a toy pistol.
Law enforcement has located the student at the center of the investigation. RCPD spokesperson Brendyn Medina says, “law enforcement is working with the school to ensure appropriate consequences are taken.”
The secure status for Stevens, as well as West Middle School, South Canyon Elementary and Pinedale Elementary was lifted around 11:00 a.m.
A secure status means normal student activities continue, but no one is allowed in or out of the building.
***THIS IS AN UPDATE TO OUR PREVIOUS STORY BELOW***
RAPID CITY, S.D. – Stevens high school in Rapid City was placed on secure status earlier today following a report of person with a gun in the school’s parking lot.
West Middle School, South Canyon Elementary, and Pinedale Elementary were also put in secure status due to the “public safety issue”, according to the district’s notification system.
The Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and Rapid City Police released the following statement:
