Metea Valley was put into a “Secure the Building and Teach” lockdown at 10 A.M. today due to students bringing toy guns to school. Metea staff were immediately informed of the issue and held students in their third period class while the Aurora Police Department (APD) responded to the situation.

“Earlier today, we placed our building in a Secure Building and Teach due to a report of a potential threat in our building that was posted on social media,” Principal Dan DeBruycker said. “We immediately investigated and found that a student brought a toy-based Orbeez Gel Gun to school.”

A video circulating on social media showed students in what appeared to be a Metea bathroom with toy guns in their backpacks.

Near the start of the secure and teach, multiple APD officers entered the lunch room and apprehended a student. The Stampede has not verified if this was one of the students with a toy gun.

“[The APD was involved] right away, as soon as we were informed,” DeBruycker said. “They were working on it before I was informed while at graduation practice.”

In an email sent to parents later in the afternoon, DeBruycker said that four other students also brought toy guns to school. DeBruycker reassured parents that there was no danger to students or staff and that the situation was resolved.

The lockdown, approximately 35 minutes in length, stretched from third period into the beginning of fourth. Seniors, whose last day was Tuesday, were in the gym for graduation practice when the Secure and Teach was initially called.

“I was very unconcerned due to us being informed that we were safe, but that itself made me very confused as to why we were kept on lockdown in the first place,” senior Sakeenah Amatul said.

While there was no danger to students or staff, DeBruycker reminded students of the policies on weapons of any kind in a follow-up email sent to parents earlier this afternoon.

“No weapons or guns of any kind are allowed on school property,” DeBruycker said. “Bringing any item that looks like a weapon to school is a severe violation of school rules. Any student who brings any of these items to school will face serious disciplinary consequences, which may include suspension or expulsion as well as legal action.”