DELAWARE — Dempsey Middle School was placed in a lockdown for approximately 10 minutes on Wednesday after a report that a student potentially had a weapon on campus came around 12:20 p.m.
“The lockdown has been lifted, and students are continuing with normal building activities,” Delaware City Schools’ Director of Communication Jennifer Ruhe told Delaware Source at 2:33 p.m.
Delaware Police Chief Adam Moore said officers quickly located the 14-year-old male student in question, and upon contacting him, officers found a “realistic-looking BB gun concealed on his person.”
Officers seized the BB gun and took the student into custody without incident.
Moore said officers have transported the student to Delaware County Juvenile Court, where he will face charges of possessing an object indistinguishable from a firearm in a school safety zone and inducing panic.
According to Moore, a non-firearm is a misdemeanor charge, versus a felony charge for actual firearms or deadly weapons. He noted a BB gun is covered in the same section of the law as firearms.
“While it is disheartening that incidents like this have become more frequent and, unfortunately, more familiar to our students, I am grateful for the culture we have fostered where students feel safe reporting concerns,” Moore said.
“Our established protocols and training allowed for a swift, safe resolution without harm.”
In a letter to Dempsey Middle School parents, Principal Dan Bartha said student safety is always the number one priority.
“The safety of our students is our number one priority, but it takes all of us to ensure a safe school environment,” Bartha said. “We want to reiterate the importance of ‘See something, Say something.’
“Please talk with your student(s) and remind them that if they hear or see something of concern to tell a trusted adult, notify Delaware PD, or report through the Safer Schools tip line at 844-723-3764.
“Together, we all make a difference.”
