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BB Gun Leads To Lockdown, Dismissal In Wilmington

WILMINGTON (CBS) – Wilmington High School students were sent home earlier than expected Friday morning after a student brought a BB gun that looked like a handgun to school.

WBZ Radio's Kim Tunnicliffe reports

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Police told WBZ Radio the school was evacuated and students were taken to an "undisclosed location."  They wanted parents to know that their children are safe.

Investigators said the student, who has not been identified, did not threaten anyone.

The principal described the weapon as an "Airsoft BB gun."  Police said it resembled a 9 mm handgun.

According to WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi, the teen showed the gun to other students and he is now being evaulated.

WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi reports

School officials found out about the gun when students started texting each other about it.

WBZ Radio's Kim Tunnicliffe was hearing that the teen had been upset the last few days.

Officers and K-9 units were brought in to search the campus, which was placed under lockdown around 9:15 a.m.

A spokesperson for the superintendent's office told WBZ-TV the situation involved a "suspected intruder" but was under control within a short period of time and students were dismissed between 9:45 and 10:15 a.m.

Parents were notified through email and automated phone calls.

As a precuation, Wilmington High School conducts regular "lockdown drills."  The most recent was on November 15th.

All after-school activities will go on as scheduled.

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