GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Students and staff were held inside an elementary school after an incident involving a knife, Grand Rapids Public Schools officials say.
A man came to pick up a child at Dickinson Elementary, located at 448 Dickinson Street SE, on Thursday afternoon. Staff was soon notified that the man was carrying a knife, Cindy Rivera, school principal, said.
Employees immediately confronted the individual and confirmed he was holding a folded pocket knife. He was asked to leave the school.
The man then became agitated, Rivera said. Grand Rapids Police Department told staff to lock the school down as a precaution.
Rumors spread that a gun was involved in the incident, but Rivera says this is untrue.
"This serves as an important reminder for those visiting our schools that no weapons of any kind are allowed in our buildings. We are grateful for the swift action of our staff in responding to this matter," said Rivera in a letter to parents.
The police report said that the school staff indicated they did not want the man to puck up the student again and were told to contact police if he returned.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
