Fake Weapon at K-6

Thursday, September 4, 7:30 PM

Dear NLA Families,

This is a note to follow up with more information about the weapon incident at our K-6 Campus this afternoon. We understand that families, students, and staff are deeply concerned, especially in light of the tragic shooting at Annunciation Church last week. The Board and Administration of NLA have the highest commitment to safety. I want to start by reiterating that due to the smart and responsible actions of some 6th grade students and our Principal and Forest Lake Police there was never any risk to NLA students or staff. Around 1:30 this afternoon five sixth graders came to the office and told the principal that a 6th grader had shown them a gun in his backpack. The principal immediately grabbed a second administrator, Mrs. Ogren, and went immediately to the child’s class, asked him to come with them, went immediately to the child’s backpack, which was outside the classroom, as is our practice for the last class of the day. They walked together to the office. The administrators found the gun immediately. They also found three bullets of various sizes. I hope you notice a theme here. Less than 5 minutes transpired between notification of the gun and having the gun secured in the office and the child secured in the next room. 

The Principal called me; and then called the Forest Lake Police immediately after. By 1:44 I arrived at the K-6 Campus, from the other school, followed immediately by a Sergeant from the Forest Lake Police Department. The officer immediately identified the gun as a non-functional replica. This gun was not designed to ever fire a bullet. It was designed as a collector item, a replica of an old time cowboy-like revolver. 

Since it was close to bus pick up time we knew we needed to get a message out to families ASAP. We could not take time to provide more details because of that timing. There was never any need for a lockdown. This child did not have the replica weapon out of his backpack. He did not threaten anyone with it. He was showing it off. The bullets were not made for that gun. And even if they were, it was a non-operational gun. 

Bringing a weapon to school is a serious issue that violates our policy 501. We are still determining the proper discipline in this case, but this child will not be back at school tomorrow or in the near future. Your children are safe at NLA. We maintain a safe environment through being a close knit community. We will announce an opportunity in the newsletter for families and staff to come together to share ideas about how we can be as safe as we can be.

I want to commend Principal Erickson, Special Education Director Ogren, and our office staff for their quick actions today. They did everything right and did everything quickly to protect your children and the staff. At no point was anyone in any danger - thank goodness!

I have spoken to Board Chair Morgan Borck and Vice Chair Sean Payer about the incident.

Please, if you have further questions or concerns call or email me or Principal Erickson. We want to make sure you have the information you need in order to send your children to school safely. 

Sincerely,

Cecelia Dodge, Executive Director