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Police find the gun that triggered an hours-long lockdown at West High

UPDATED: DECEMBER 14, 2021 AT 7:14 PM
BY
Assistant News Director

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Police found the gun that forced an hours-long lockdown at West High School Monday morning

Investigators confirm the gun was found by a school resource officer, but they’re not releasing any details about how the gun was found, whether it was found on school property or why a student brought it to West High.  Police searched the high school yesterday during the lockdown with no luck.

Three students were taken into custody after someone  posted a picture to Snapchat that reportedly showed someone with a handgun inside a bathroom at the school.  District officials say multiple students showed that picture to their counselors, who showed it to the principal’s office.  Police say no shots were fired and the students were not in any physical danger while they were locked in their classrooms.

“There were crisis counselors available for students and staff today,” says Salt Lake City School District Spokesperson Yandary Chatwin. “We were lucky to be able to have them there. I think this did shake up some people.” 
Chatwin says students use the SafeUT app to report any possible threats this school year.  She says they’ve seen a lot of tips come in through the app, but nothing that rose to this level of criminality.
“It is very serious and we’re grateful that police were able to be there so quickly to investigate so thoroughly,” Chatwin says.  “Hopefully. We’re able to go into the holiday season without any other incidents like this.”

Chatwin says tips continued to come through app even after the lockdown began.