Letter to parents says two suspects identified in Mitchell High School gun scare
Students at Mitchell High School have been allowed to go home after spending most of Friday afternoon sheltering in place while police investigated a report of a gun on campus.
“At first they told us to stay quiet, we’re on lock down. Then after that they told us to go to a safe spot in the classroom,” said Matt Nevill, Sophomore at Mitchell High School.
Class was dismissed at around 3:25 p.m. School normally ends at 3:00 p.m., but students were kept late while police searched the building.
Colorado Springs Police say that at 11:27 a.m., several students reported seeing a juvenile female who was armed with a handgun on campus.
“I was scared but I knew we were going to be okay because Mitchell has really good staff they weren’t going to let us not be safe,” said Asia Brock, Senior at Mitchell High School.
The school was methodically searched room by room. No weapons were found, nor was the girl who witnesses said had the gun.
In a letter sent home to parents, D-11 said two suspects have been identified in connection to Friday’s incident. No details about those suspects were released. The letter also said that there is no information which indicates an active threat to students or staff.
“I was just thinking is my kid okay? Can I get to him if he needs Me? It’s hard, a lot of things went through my head,” said Lisa Preston, parent.
During a shelter in place, students are kept in a classroom or other secure area and are not allowed to leave the room until the shelter in place is lifted.
The district asked parents to stay away from the school Friday, but parents we talked to said they weren’t leaving without their kids. “I’m going to sit here all day if I have to. If the sun goes down I’m going to be here till my son comes out,” said Preston.
One grandmother we talked to expressed frustration over the recent increase in situations like this one. “I think there’s a lot of copy cats, but I couldn’t tell you what’s going on, but something needs to be done for the safety of our children,” said Michele Young.
Colorado Springs Police said every potential threat is taken seriously. “We can never be safe enough with our children. We must take every precaution necessary,” said Commander Pat Rigdon.
Police do not believe Friday’s incident is related to a Sept. 30 incident in which a student from the school was suspended after he was found with a gun.
