CAPE STUDENT SUSPENDED AFTER RUMOR OF GUN THREAT

A Central Junior High School student was suspended Thursday after classmates reported a perceived threat of gun violence to school officials.

According to school and police officials, an eighth-grade boy was suspended after students overheard him make an indirect comment in the hallways about getting a gun and shooting people.

No gun was found at the school or in the student's home in an investigation by school resource officer Rob Barker. An investigation of the incident will continue today.

"My knowledge is there was no direct threat, but the principal took immediate action and suspended the student pending further investigation by the police," said schools superintendent Dr. Dan Steska.

Although the threat of violence was unnerving, Steska said he was proud of students who reported the incident to school officials.

"I think that's wonderful that students are aware of the issue and they do take it seriously and they're willing to share that information with adults in the school setting," he said. "We have these signs up about Crimestoppers and have made an effort to make kids aware that information they have can be very important."

School procedures

Steska said the district has procedures in place for dealing with potential violence in schools.

When reports are received, school officials "investigate the validity of the situation" through contacts with witnesses, he said. One of two school resource officers working in the schools are immediately contacted because they have the civil authority to conduct home investigations and searches.

Parents of the students also are notified, and the appropriate disciplinary measures are taken.

Steska said school principals may suspend students for up to 10 days, while he may continue suspensions for an additional 180 days. The Board of Education determines whether expulsion is warranted.

"In all cases we'd rather be safe than sorry," Steska said. "In some cases, some parents might think we're being overly cautious if it involves their children, but other parents may not think so.".