Cottage Grove: Police probe report that student had weapon

Police in Cottage Grove are investigating a report made Friday morning regarding a Park High School student who reportedly bragged about having a weapon in their backpack.

Park High School officials told police they received a call from a parent of a student around 8:30 a.m. who said they overheard another student on the bus saying they had a weapon in their backpack.

The Cottage Grove Police Department’s School Resource Officer Luke Landgraf was notified and requested assistance from on-duty patrol officers and detectives.

Park High School was placed in a hold for about two hours while responding units and school officials investigated the allegation, officials said. No weapons were found.

“The result of the investigation is that no threats had been made and there was no danger to students or staff,” police said in a statement. “The school followed their established protocols to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

While no weapon was found, threats are taken seriously by the school and the Cottage Grove Police Department, according to the statement.

“Students are often aware of situations before adults, so please remind your child that it is important for them to immediately report concerns to a trusted adult at school,” police said.

Park High School Principal Todd Herber said school officials were grateful that they “learned about this concern immediately, so we could promptly begin the investigation.”

In a letter sent to parents and family members, Herber said the extended hold was necessary in order to give officials time to interview students and review bus video.

Related Articles

January 6 crimes did happen. Court cases, video and thousands of pages of evidence prove it

Attorney for former Mayo doctor accused of murdering wife outlines defense plan for trial

Trump in court as lawyers fight to overturn verdict in E. Jean Carroll sex abuse suit

Teen charged in Georgia school shooting and his father to stay in custody after hearings

Northeastern Minnesota school bus driver suspected of drunken driving