Three youths toting BB guns caused a scare Thursday (Oct. 26) at the Village Elementary School in Gorham.
Students at the school were held inside the building after a bus driver saw three juveniles with what appeared to be a rifle crossing school property at dismissal time Thursday.
Principal Brian Porter said one of three individuals passing through school property at 12 Robie St. into a wooded area about 3:15 p.m. “pulled out” a gun. Porter described the firearm as a BB gun.
Gorham police detained three Gorham High School students, two 16-year olds and one 15-year old, who were later released to their parents. Gorham Police Chief Ron Shepard said the case would be turned over to juvenile authorities.
The departure of schools buses was delayed about 30 minutes before police secured the scene, Porter said.
Porter said bus drivers reported the incident to the school district’s transportation department, which called Gorham police. Porter said police instructed him to keep all students and staff in the school.
According to a police report, one of the bus drivers recognized one of the three students, who had gone into the woods. Police contacted a parent, who called a child on a cell phone. Police said the three complied after being told to leave their BB guns and exit the woods.
It turned out to be a “low key incident,” Porter said. He said students and staff weren’t threatened. He described holding the students inside as a precaution. “Their welfare is our utmost concern,” Porter said
Porter said the school received 10 calls from concerned parents late Thursday afternoon. Porter is sending a letter to parents.
Potter sent a letter home to parents explaining the situation. “We understand that this may have caused some concern on the part of you and your child, but please know that at no time were the students or staff of Village School in imminent danger,” Potter said. “All staff and students acted in accordance with police requests. The process went quite smoothly and was resolved quickly.”
Village Elementary School is grades 3, 4 and 5. School is in session 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jim Hager, chairman of the school committee, said Gorham School Department has a “far reaching” policy about violence and prohibiting weapons on school property. “Weapons are absolutely not allowed on school property,” Hager said.
The following is the complete text of Potter’s letter to parents:
Dear Village School Parents,
This note is to inform you about the reason for the delay in bus dismissal yesterday, October 26, 2006. We were informed by a bus driver that he had witnessed some suspicious activities in the woods directly in front of our school. The transportation department had contacted police, and accordingly, we were asked to delay dismissal until they had more information about the situation. As soon as we had clearance from the police, dismissal continued as usual. Police had indeed secured three adolescents who were in possessions of a BB gun.
We understand that this may have caused some concern on the part of you and your child, but please know that at no time were the students or staff of Village School in imminent danger. All staff and students acted in accordance with police requests. The process went quite smoothly and was resolved quickly.
Know that your child’s safety and well-being is of the utmost importance to us. We appreciate your continued support. As always, please feel free to call if you have any questions.
Sincerely, Brian Porter, principal and Jane Esty, assistant principal
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