Loaded gun found in Brooklyn Park school, district to start using security wands

Students and visitors at District 287 schools will be screened with handheld security wands when entering schools after a loaded gun was recently found at one school.

Intermediate District 287 Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski sent a letter to families on Thursday after a loaded gun was found at Ann Bremer Education Center in Brooklyn Park.

The incident prompted a lockdown at the school, and police were called. The school said nobody was hurt and school resumed after the lockdown.

According to Brooklyn Park police, the 18-year-old student was arrested, and other students first reported that he had a gun.

However, due to “multiple serious safety incidents this school year involving weapons,” Lewandowski said the district has decided to immediately start using a security wand on students and unscheduled visitors as they enter the building at the district’s four school sites. The policy won’t affect students at Hennepin Technical College or those who access Care and Treatment programs, only Ann Bremer Education Center in Brooklyn Park, North Education Center in New Hope, South Education Center in Richfield and West Education Center in Minnetonka.

Lewandowski’s letter also said the district would have mental health staff ready to help students after the recent lockdown and urged families to reach out to their student’s principal with any questions or information.