This is a developing story and has been updated to include new information. This article has been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall.
A student who reportedly had a weapon at Juneau-Douglas High School:Yadaa.at Kalé was in the care of his family as of Friday afternoon and the police were still investigating the incident, according to Juneau Police Department.
On Friday morning an alert was sent out to parents that there was a report of a student in possession of a weapon on the JDHS campus, said Kristin Bartlett, chief of staff for Juneau School District.
A JPD information release stated JDHS staff notified the police that a student had possibly been in possession of a weapon on campus, which prompted JPD to respond to the school and start an investigation.
According to JPD, it was determined that everyone at the school, including all students and staff, were safe. The student who reportedly had a weapon at school was located off Friday of school grounds.
The district shared the report with parents and staff mid morning and stated the student was no longer on the premises, has been located and the incident was being investigated by JPD.
Bella Reyes-Boyer, a freshman sitting outside the front of the school eating lunch with five other students, said it “freaked us out how they didn’t tell us.” She and the other students said they were not escorted from their classrooms or alerted that the incident was happening. Reyes-Boyer said she first heard of the incident after getting out of her third-period math class when she heard rumors from other students but no official statement.
“It freaked us out how they didn’t tell us,” Reyes-Boyer said. “We want to know when and where.”
Bartlett said the information was sent to parents and staff but not to students. She said it is easier to contact parents and staff than it is students, and said sending information directly to students on the incident will be determined after she learns more from JPD on the investigation. She expressed gratitude for JPD’s response to the report.
“I’m grateful for Juneau Police Department’s quick response and ongoing investigation,” she said.
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.
