A high school in southwest Philadelphia was closed and dismissed Wednesday after the building’s gun detection system showed signs of a gun in a backpack, Philadelphia police and the school district said.
Officers responded to the school at 6700 Elmwood Avenue around 10 a.m. and began the lockdown procedure.
“At this time, two male individuals have been arrested and are believed to have brought the firearm onto the property. However, the firearm has not yet been located or recovered,” a Philadelphia police spokesperson said.
Counter-terrorism and SWAT units were also called to the scene and began investigating.
Chopper 3/CBS News Philadelphia
School security officers helped secure the building before police arrived and then searched classroom by classroom for the weapon, Principal Brian R. Johnson said in a letter to parents.
“The possession of any weapon – whether real or similar – by any student at school will not be tolerated by the district. The safety and well-being of our students is the highest priority. We encourage our families to talk to their children about the role they play in keeping our schools safe, as well as the dangers and serious consequences of gun ownership,” Johnson wrote.
Students who may be feeling scared and worried were encouraged to talk to school counselors.
