LYNN — A Lynn English High School (LEHS) student was arrested Tuesday morning after he allegedly brought an authentic-looking toy weapon to class, sending the school into lockdown, police and school officials said.
The school went on lockdown at about 10:20 a.m., after the administration received information about a possible weapon on campus, said Lynn Police Chief Christopher Reddy in a statement.
LEHS personnel followed established procedures to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. They notified Lynn police, who responded to the school immediately, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler in his statement.
LEHS students said the lockdown was announced via the school’s intercom system and lasted about 35 minutes. Police were checking one classroom after the other, taking students out one at a time, said sophomore Mykelis Castillo.
While waiting in lockdown, students were told to go to the back of the classroom, not to be on their phones and not to post anything online, said senior Alex Sylla.
“At first we thought it was going to be a simple drill,” said Sylla. “The teachers were anxious, the kids were anxious and it was a really scary situation.”
Halfway through the lockdown, teachers found out what was going on and shared it with the students, telling them to be cautious, said Sylla. The school had practiced many lockdown drills before, he said, so students were mentally prepared for this situation.
When police identified the wrongdoer, he tried to leave and police tackled him down, said Castillo. The student was handcuffed and escorted out of the school. Although the gun found in the student’s backpack looked authentic, it was a toy, police said. Officers also recovered alcohol in the student’s possession.
The student was transported to the Lynn police station and after processing, transferred to the Lynn Juvenile Court. He was charged with threat of dangerous items and person under 21 in possession of alcohol.
“We are grateful that this incident concluded without harm to any member of the school community including the student involved,” said Reddy. “The response to this incident, and the safe outcome, are a reflection of the professionalism and commitment to safety that personnel from the Lynn Public Schools and the Lynn Police Department demonstrate on a daily basis.”
After the lockdown, some students went to lunch in the cafeteria, while others waited for their lunch period or got dismissed.
“It wasn’t really like a normal school day after that. We were not really learning anything because no one was in the right mental state,” said Sylla.
The school’s administration notified parents of what was going on, students said to The Item; however, some parents shared on Facebook that the school did not explain to them that the lockdown was not a drill.
Tutwiler said that among other takeaways, the incident highlighted the importance of vigilance, practicing emergency procedures, and the school and police partnership.
“The quick and thorough response first by school administrators and then by the Lynn Police Department upon arrival demonstrates the level of care with which we take safety in general and these scenarios in particular,” said Tutwiler.
Both Mayor Thomas M. McGee and Mayor-elect Jared Nicholson reacted to the incident.
“I commend everyone involved for their swift and professional action in keeping our community safe,” said McGee.
Nicholson also thanked LPD and the LPS community for the fast and safe resolution.
“It’s unfortunate to have to face alarming situations like this,” he said. I’m grateful for everyone’s cooperation and professionalism.”
