Middle School Stalled Gun Investigation, Golden Valley Police Say

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN — The Golden Valley Police Department Friday accused officials at a local middle school of stalling an investigation into gun incident.

On Nov. 11, a student posted a Snapchat video of himself with a gun apparently inside of a Sandburg Middle School bathroom, according to police.

However, Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green said he first learned about the incident at the middle school after he was contacted several news media outlets Nov 16, 2022.

After that, Green said he contacted the Robbinsdale School District’s security director, who was also just hearing about the incident.

"As we worked to investigate the incident, the school refused turn over the Snapchat video, stating we would need to obtain a search warrant," Green said in a statement.

"This video isn’t property of the school district. It has been shared on social media by the student and others."

Green said his officers were unable to view the Snapchat video — which lasts less than six seconds long — until Thursday night.

The video "shows a Black male student holding what appears to be an actual firearm, removing a magazine clip and reinserting that clip into the firearm," Green said.

"I know many parents have questions and concerns surrounding this incident," Green continued. "We also have those same questions and concerns and will be working to get answers."

Under Minnesota law, it's a crime to possess a firearm, replica firearm, or a BB gun while knowingly on school property.

State law also requires every public school board "to have a policy requiring the appropriate school official to, as soon as practicable, refer to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system, as appropriate, a pupil who brings a firearm to school unlawfully."

Acorrding to Green, this law "was not followed by the leadership at Sandburg Middle School. Almost five days later isn’t practicable."

The Golden Valley Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

Patch has reached out to the Robbinsdale Area Public Schools District for comment.