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The gun was shown in a photo to an assistant principal at Central Dauphin East High School by a male student around 8:45 a.m. on Feb. 15, police were immediately contacted and a lockdown was initiated, according to the school administrators and Pennsylvania State Police.
Until the handgun was located in the Harrisburg area high school, everyone in the building spent most of Thursday in an "administrative lockdown", Lower Paxton Township Director of Public Safety Adam Kosheba explained at the press conference.
Guardians were notified that students and staff were safe. Everyone inside the school was asked to remain in the building until the search was complete. Food was provided to the students and they were released around 4:05 p.m., Central Dauphin School District Superintendent Aaron McConnell said at the conference.
Several students were taken into custody and at least one student was tackled on the school's lawn when they tried to avoid a pat-down during dismissal, but details about these situations were not being shared as the police investigation continues.
In addition to continuing their investigation, the police will be back in the school over the next few days to search for the bag that the gun was brought into the school inside.
Staff will have an in-service day scheduled on Friday, February 16, McConnell explained. The school has moved sporting events off-campus for the weekend, and the building was due to be closed on Monday for President’s Day. On Tuesday, students and staff will be allowed to return to the school for regular classes and their possessions.
Maryland State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, as well as numerous local police agencies, assisted Lower Paxton Township Police in this first part of the search providing helicopters, K9 units, and additional officers to assist in the search of the building, staff, and students.
Additional information is expended check back here for updates on this developing situation.
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