Prank text causes school lock-down

Officials say there was never any real threat to students or staff.

GENTRY - A text message speaking of a student bringing a gun to school caused a brief lock-down on the campus of Gentry High School last week, on April 23.

In an email communication, Gentry Public Schools superintendent Randy Barrett explained the brief lock-down as follows:

“The brief lock-down at the high school today resulted from a prank text from one student to another regarding another student bringing a gun to school. The high school administration acted quickly, in cooperation with the Gentry Police Department, to determine there was no actual danger to students. The students involved in the pranks face serious consequences for their reckless behavior,” Barrett’s email stated.

Gentry police chief Keith Smith released the following later in the day of the lockdown:

“Today, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Gentry High School officials notified the Gentry Police Department that a student may be in possession of a gun. Gentry officers responded to the call, and school officials issued an immediate lock-down at that location. Police officers and school administrators quickly detained two male students, ages 14 and 15. A brief search turned up no weapons and the lock-down was lifted.

“At this time, police and school officials believe the incident is a case of a ‘prank-gone-wrong’ scenario and there was never an immediate physical threat to any of the school’s students or faculty members.

“Parents were notified of the situation by school administrators via the school’s mass emergency notification system. This scenario was handled quickly and efficiently through cooperative efforts between police and school officials and demonstrates the importance of emergency protocols.

“The [two male] students, later, were released to the custody of their parents and are facing serious criminal charges for their actions,” the release states.

The two students were suspended for a period of 10 days for their disruptive text, according to Barrett. Criminal charges may also be filed, according to Chief Smith.

News, Pages 1 on 05/01/2013