Student With Fake Gun Triggers Lockdown At Montbello School

DENVER, CO — The Denver Public Schools imposed a lockdown Wednesday at a Montbello charter school in response to reports of a student carrying a weapon in the school, according to media reports. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., Denver police officers responded to the McGlone Academy, where they arrested the student outside the building, a police spokesman said.

The officers recovered an airsoft gun from the student, who was charged with felony menacing and threats to injure, said Doug Schepman, the police spokesman.

There were no shots fired or injuries reported, and the police are investigating the incident, Schepman said.

An airsoft gun is a replica firearm, such as a fake pistol or assault rifle, that shoots plastic pellets. They're often used in military simulation games.

The police declined to release the student's name or age because the student is a juvenile, a police spokeswoman said.

The McGlone Academy, at 4500 N. Crown Blvd., is a few blocks north of Interstate 70 in the Montbello neighborhood, on the east side of the city.

The Denver Public Schools ordered a lockdown at McGlone Academy at 1:43 p.m. Wednesday due to the police activity, according to the system's Twitter account. That status was changed to a lockout a few minutes later, and normal operations at the school resumed at about 2 p.m.

In a lockdown, no one is allowed in or out of a school building due to a perceived threat, either inside the school or on school grounds, according to KUSA-TV 9News. Lights are turned off, doors are locked and students are hidden from view, a school spokesman told 9News.

In a lockout, no one is allowed to enter or leave a school building, but students and staff can move around within the school, 9News reported. The Denver Public Schools will impose a lockout when there's a safety concern that is not an immediate threat to a school.

(Stay up-to-date with Metro Denver news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook)