Hoosac Valley Student Found With BB Gun on Campus

CHESHIRE, Mass. — A middle school student is facing consequences after bringing what administrators are calling a bb gun to Hoosac Valley Middle and High school on Monday.

Hoosac Valley Principal Jeremiah Ames on Monday afternoon said a student reported to a faculty member at about 10:40 a.m. that another student had brought a weapon to school. All students and faculty involved were immediately met with, and the Cheshire Police were contacted.

Ames said it was determined that a student had brought air-powered pellet gun to school; the pistol was not loaded.

Superintendent Kristen Gordon on Monday night said the student had no plans to use the weapon or threaten anyone with it.

"There was no malice behind the student taking the bb gun to school," she said. "The student was a middle school student, and he simply didn't think about why he shouldn't have brought it. It was not loaded but there certainly will be severe consequences for bringing it to school."

The principal said the school was in "soft lockdown" for 12 minutes while administration and police scanned the building for other possible weapons.

"After consulting with district administration and law enforcement and determining that the school was secure, there was no reason to dismiss students early," Ames said.

Ames added that the student who brought the pellet guns was dismissed from school. The consequences have not yet been determined but expulsion has not been ruled out.

Gordon said the gun and the boy were held during the lockdown and everything went smoothly.

"Bravo to the student who told the faculty about the bb gun," Gordon said. "They got it immediately with no issues."

He declined provide the name of the student or provide further detail.

An "all call" was sent out to parents and guardians at the end of the school day explaining the incident and an emergency faculty meeting to brief employees was to be held after school.

Ames said the school district administration continues to investigate and communicate with the families involved.

Gordon added that the district attorney's office will send representatives to the middle school specifically to explain to students what is not appropriate to bring to school.

Updated to include comments by the superintendent at 8:41 p.m.

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