Billinghurst Middle School locked down after guns found nearby

Posted: March 31, 2008 04:06 PM PDT

Updated: March 31, 2008 04:06 PM PDT

Billinghurst Middle School in Reno went into lockdown at 11:30 Monday morning after school police say a custodian discovered two guns near the school. Classes continued, but students were not allowed to leave the classroom without a police escort.

The Washoe County School police say they searched the entire school including student lockers. Police Chief Mike Mieras said they did not find anything in the school to lead them to believe the weapons were brought there by a student or could be related to a school incident. Students were released from the lockdown around 1p.m. after police finished their search.

Chief Mieras said they followed standard procedure and the students were never in any danger.

Police are continuing their investigation into where the weapons came from. They contacted Reno police to find out if anyone had reported stolen weapons. They say there are currently no reports like that in the area.

If you are missing any firearms or have any information about the guns found near the school, call the Washoe County School Police Secret Witness hotline at 329-6666.

Classes at Billinghurst will return to the regular schedule on Tuesday

http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8096865

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Mar 31, 6:20 PM EDT

Reno middle school locked down after guns found in garbage

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A Reno middle school was locked down for more than two hours today after two guns were found in a garbage can outside the school.

A custodian found a rifle and a shotgun at Billinghurst Middle School at about 11 a.m.

Washoe County School Police Lieutenant Dale Richardson says the school was placed under "code yellow," which restricts students to their classroom. Escorts were provided to anyone who needed to move out of their class.

The alert was lifted at about 1:30 p.m.

Richardson says there's a good chance the weapons were stolen during a residential burglary and stashed in the school garbage can. School district police confiscated the guns.

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