3 Juveniles In Custody, 2 Found With Guns At A DPS School
DENVER (CBS4) - Police in Denver say students and staff at Skinner Middle School are safe after two juveniles were found at the school with handguns and taken into custody along with another juvenile.
"We had a couple of juveniles that brought weapons to the school," said Denver police spokesman Cmdr. Paul Pazen. "They're all middle school students. All males."
Pazen said a potential tragedy was averted thanks to alert students who notified staff about the guns.
"The students and the staff did everything that they were supposed to do to prevent any kind of injury or harm as a result of this action. Our students are to be commended for seeing something and saying something right away."
Denver police say school staff were notified about the weapons and then quickly called police.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. a lockdown went into effect at the school, located at 3435 West 40th Avenue.
The school was then searched by police and the lockdown was lifted an hour after the students were taken into custody. Police said the three students were arrested and two handguns were found.
VIDEO: Denver Police Hold News Conference About Incident At Skinner Middle School
Police said the third juvenile who didn't have a gun had some sort of smoke device.
"We'll have the professionals take a look at it and see exactly what it is," Pazen said.
Ella Rodriguez said her friend told the principal what she saw was concerning.
"She saw a suspicious student that she thought had something... in a Trapper Keeper," said Rodriguez.
So far it's not clear what the motive was for the juveniles to bring the guns to the school. Pazen said they are "looking into any and all aspects of this case."
Police won't confirm where the handguns and suspicious device were found but parents told CBS4 that officers told them the guns were found in lockers.
Students told CBS4 that lockers were searched.
"You worry about your kids and try to teach them to do their best and they come to school and see this," said parent Michelle Hobbs.
CBS4 video showed several parents leaving the school with their children at 10 a.m.
Officers removed two different backpacks and an evidence bag from the school. The lockdown was lifted about an hour after it began but at least one mother is concerned about something that happened earlier in the week.
"There was a student here on Wednesday who threatened to bring a gun to the school and kill some kids. I don't know what kind of action they took but they were warned," said parent Nicole Becerra.
Denver Public Schools Security Chief Michael Eaton said the school's students and staff should be commended for their "quick action."
"They followed the procedures they have been trained on and because of that students and staff were safe during this incident," Eaton said.
