Gun scare at Overland High School ends in student’s arrest, no injuries reported

AURORA | A 17-year-old boy was spotted with a handgun at Overland High School Wednesday morning, chased down a hallway and tackled by staff members and eventually arrested by a school resource officer.

No shots were fired and no injuries were reported, Aurora police said in a social media post.

Police said others students in the hallway spotted the unidentified student with a gun at about 8:40 a.m. 

“Someone noticed the weapon, shouted out to alert staff members who then chased after the teen and tackled him to the ground,” police said in their X post. “A School Resource Officer who is stationed at the high school subsequently detained the 17-year-old and recovered the loaded weapon.”

The school was put on immediate lockdown and after it was clear the issue was resolved, classes resumed.

“Overland HS was in lockdown and followed all lockdown procedures,” Cherry Creek school spokesperson Ashley Verville said in a statement. “All students and staff are safe and the school has now been moved out of a hold/lockdown status. We are continuing to work with law enforcement and district security to ensure the school and surrounding areas remain safe.”

In a letter to Overland students and parents, school officials offered counseling yesterday and through the end of the week for students, their families and school staff.

“While no one was physically harmed, we understand that situations like this can cause fear, anxiety, and other strong emotions for students, staff, and families,” Overland Principal Sybil Booker said the letter.

Booker outlined steps the school takes to ensure the safety of students:

• School security teams, District Security Coordinators, and School Resource Officers who support schools throughout the district.

• Radios for school leaders and security personnel that connect directly to district security and dispatch, along with emergency intercom systems with automated lockdown capabilities in every school.

• Locked front entrances at elementary and middle schools requiring all visitors to check in through the main office.

• Secure vestibules or kiosks installed throughout district schools.

• Push-button or twist locks on classroom doors that allow rooms to be secured from the inside.

• The “Redbag” program in every classroom, which includes emergency first aid supplies and QR code communication capabilities during lockdown situations.