There were some scary moments Wednesday morning for Diamond View School students, staff and parents, after the Susanville Police Department received a report of a student who may have brought a firearm to school’s campus, which was immediately placed on a ‘lockdown status.’
“Officers arrived and met with the school principal, who identified the student,” explains Interim Chief of Police Michael Bengoa-Bollinger.
“It was learned no gun was ever observed, and it was a ‘statement’ that had been overheard by the reporting students while on the bus to school this morning.”
School officials and officers contacted the student away from the other children and found no firearm in the student’s possession. The student was interviewed by officers who found the statements made not to be an actual threat to the school or any other students.
As soon as it was determined that there was no threat, the school issued a notice that it was no longer on lockdown status.
“We want to thank the school officials for their immediate actions and for contacting our department. These incidents may be rare in our area, but each will be investigated thoroughly and quickly, with the safety of the students coming first.”
Bengoa-Bollinger reminded parents that when a school is in lockdown status, all doors will be locked, and no entry will be allowed onto the campus so that law enforcement can quickly respond and conduct the investigation.
“While working with school officials, we all would like to make a quick advisement about the situation, but the safety of our students, faculty, and community comes first, so until we know a situation is safe, please keep a safe distance from the area.”
