District says no gun in schools

The Havre Public Schools district announced this morning that rumors of a gun being found in a local school are false, and stem from a toy gun on a bus.

Superintendent Andy Carson said they received the report through a phone call and started investigating right away.

The district said someone reported to school administration that a student had a gun at a bus stop within city limits. The administration, after an extensive search, determined the gun to be a toy one, a statement on the district website said.

Local law enforcement, along with the transportation director, followed all established protocol, the statement said, and a list of students who ride the bus was given to the administrators while the buses were held in place, suspected buses searched and then students questioned.

“Students were honest and forthright about the presence of a toy gun and its location. The toy gun has been located,” the statement said.

“We are happy that students were honest,” Carlson added. “We appreciate people being vigilant.”

Carlson said they had parents and community members who were frustrated they weren’t notified right away.

“We understand they are worried,” he said, “but it (notifications) would take time away from handling and investigating the situation.”

Carlson said this kind of thing causes anxious moments for the administration and he appreciates the patience and vigilance of students and community members in situations like this.