by Alex Brooks
On Wednesday May 6, according to a police report, a teacher at the Berlin Middle School/High School noticed that an eighth grade student was holding “what appeared to be rifle,” but was not pointing it at anyone. The teacher engaged the student in conversation and the student handed the gun to the teacher. [private]Administrators at the school were immediately notified of the incident, and they notified the New York State Police, who arrived at about 7:25 am and determined that the weapon was a pellet rifle.
According to a statement posted on the District’s web site and sent to the press, “the student was immediately secured and the Berlin Middle School/High School went into a lockdown as per the district’s safety procedures…The student in question was taken into New York State Police custody.”
State Police troopers did a thorough search of the building. They found two bottles of an “unknown liquid,” but after determining that it was vegetable oil, and doing K-9 sweeps of the school, it was determined there was no further threat. Students and staff remained in a shelter-in-place until approximately 10:20 am, and then resumed classes.
The District’s statement concluded, “The District is cooperating and working closely with law enforcement to provide support for their ongoing investigation. Our first priority is the safety, security and well-being of our students, their families and our staff.The safety planning and practice drills the district conducts with its employees and law enforcement partners contributed to the rapid resolution of this incident.”[/private]