North Delta’s Seaquam Secondary was placed in a Hold and Secure for about 25 minutes on Monday morning following reports of a student with a handgun.
Just before 10:30 a.m. Monday, Delta police were called to the school after a student apparently showed what appeared to be a handgun to other students. The incident was reported to school officials who contacted police.
DPD spokesperson Cris Leykauf told the Optimist, police attended and seized a pellet gun, which looks very similar to a handgun. Police determined that there was no indication the student in question threatened any others.
In the hold and secure protocol for the Delta School District, all students and staff are brought into the school and remain inside, exterior doors are secured, all exterior window blinds and drapes are closed and no one is able to enter or exit the school.
Leykauf said police would like to take this opportunity to remind both students and parents that replica guns or other weapons don’t belong at school or out in public.
“We are aware some youths might think carrying a pellet gun or bb gun could offer them some sort of protection,” said Sgt. Ray Athwal, head of the School Liaison Officer program with Delta Police. “This is utterly false, and youths taking this kind of action risk getting drawn into dangerous situations.”
Delta police are urging parents to talk to their children about making responsible choices that will help keep everyone safe.
According to the school district, the Hold and Secure was lifted at approximately 10:40 a.m. once the safety of students and staff was ensured.
School district spokesperson Cathryn Tucker said out of an abundance of caution, the neighbouring school, Cougar Canyon Elementary, was also placed in a Hold and Secure during the same period of time.
“District emergency procedures were followed and the situation was resolved in a timely manner,” said Tucker. “We thank staff and students at Seaquam Secondary for maintaining a calm and professional approach to this incident.
“Weapons of any type, real or imitation, are strictly prohibited on or near school property. We will be using this unfortunate and serious incident as an opportunity to educate students and their families about the severity of bringing inappropriate items to school.”
This is the second such incident involving a replica weapon at a Delta school in the past few weeks.
In late April DPD seized an air powered bb gun, which had apparently been brought to a Delta school by a student, and left in his vehicle.
According to police, that student had not made any threats to students or staff, nor was he being threatened – he claimed to have had the bb gun for protection.
Police met with the student in question who admitted to having a gun in the car. Fortunately, he agreed the best course of action was for police to dispose of the bb gun.
