Reports of gun at Springfield High false, police say

Initial reports Monday that a student at Springfield High School might have a firearm turned out to be false, police said Tuesday.


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Reports of gun at Springfield HIgh false, police say | January 31, 2018 BY TIMOTHY LA ROCHE tlaroche@eagletimes.com SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Initial reports Monday that a student at Springfield High School might have a firearm turned out to be false, police said Tuesday. Students exit Springfield High School in Vermont on Monday following a lockdown that ended around 3 p.m. Initial dispatch reports indicted authorities were told a student had a firearm. Police said Tuesday those reports turned out to be false. — Frank Amato he report triggered a multi-hour lockdown at the high school and the adjacent River Valley Technical Center on Monday — starting just after 12:30 p.m. as police surrounded the school complex. On Tuesday, police remained mum on more details, citing further investigation into the incident. “If any more information becomes available, we’ll put out a release,” Springfield Police Chief Douglas Johnston said. Johnston said he could not comment on whether charges will be filed nor on the identity of the alleged student in question. Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin could not be reached for comment Tuesday. A police statement issued on Monday night confirmed that a student reported that there was a “potential threat to the building.” No incidents or injuries were reported and police said students were safe as lockdown procedures were instituted. McLaughlin also issued a statement Monday night, noting that “no event ever occured” and that families were notified through the school messenger of the lockdown. Law enforcement officers from the Springfield Police Department, Weathersfield Police Department, Chester Police Department, Vermont Fish & Game, Vermont DMV and the Vermont State Police responded to the school complex, restricting traffic to the area. Parents were asked not to approach the school as staff and law enforcement agents worked through emergency procedures, clearing the building by 3 p.m. after they determined that there was no threat. Students and staff were released for the day shortly thereafter. Follow Timothy LaRoche on Facebook at Eagle Times – Timothy LaRoche, or on Twitter at @TimothyLaRoche.

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