UPDATED: Burnsville Police Respond To Weapons Call at Burnsville High School, One Arrested
Updated April 4, 2024 at 3:40 PM.
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - The City of Burnsville released a press release this evening about a weapons call officers responded to late this morning at Burnsville High School.
According to the press release, officers with the Burnsville Police Department responded to the Burnsville High School around 10:45 AM on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 after they received reports about the suspicion two students had guns. A staff member with Burnsville High School reportedly confirmed the presence of one get-in one of the student's backpacks. The staff member then reportedly told officers that they believed the second student might also have had a gun. Due to the nature of the incident and the confirmed presence of a gun already, Burnsville Officers, with mutual aid from several surrounding agencies, responded to the scene quickly and tactically to ensure order and the safety of all students and staff at the school.
Officers were able to secure the weapon that was found in the backpack by staff, and it was determined that the gun was real and loaded with live ammunition. The second gun in question was not found. According to the press release from the City of Burnsville, the suspects never threatened any other students or staff, no shots were fired, and the school did not enter into a lockdown.
The suspect who had the gun was taken into custody. The second student was detained briefly by police but was released as no other weapons were found.
UPDATE
The Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced this afternoon that Alonzo Williams Jr was officially charged with felony dangerous weapons violation (possessing a dangerous weapon on school property) and felony possession of a firearm or ammunition by an ineligible person (under 18) in connection with this incident at Burnsville High School.
The announcement from Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena states that school officials were made aware of the firearm by concerned students who had seen Williams in the school bathroom taking video of himself with the gun. Williams was located and brought to the dean's office, where they found the gun in his backpack. Officers identified the gun as a Sig Sauer handgun with a fully loaded magazine containing 21 9 mm rounds.
Williams reportedly said the gun was purchased for him by an unknown male for protection at school. No specific threats of harm or violence were directed toward him, and Williams reportedly did not threaten anyone else.
Williams is held in custody at the Juvenile Service Center in Hastings, Minnesota. His next court date is April 16, 2024, in Hastings. As this is an active case, Williams is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Cover Photo Credit by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
