RPS investigating BB gun threat at Century High School Tuesday

(ABC 6 News) – Rochester Public Schools is investigating an incident after a student reportedly brought a BB gun onto school property Tuesday afternoon.

According to the district, Century High School leadership was informed that a CHS student was seen pointing a weapon out of a car in the school parking lot.

School leadership immediately responded and investigated the situation.

“Within a short period of time, they were able to identify and interview students who had witnessed this event taking place, as well as the student seen with the weapon.”

RPS can confirm that the weapon was a BB gun and the student is being disciplined in accordance with RPS Student Handbook policies:

“A “weapon” includes any object, device, or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use is capable of threatening or producing bodily harm or which may be used to inflict self-injury including, but not limited to, any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; air guns; pellet guns; BB guns; rifles, pistols, stun guns; all knives; blades; clubs; metal knuckles; nunchucks (nunchaku); throwing stars; explosives; any combustible or flammable liquid; fireworks; tear gas, mace and other propellants; ammunition; poisons; chains; arrows; and objects that have been modified to serve as a weapon. Students are also prohibited from possessing, using, or distributing items that are intended to look like a weapon.”

“RPS wants to thank those students who provided CHS leadership with the information necessary to investigate and bring closure to the incident. Only by working as a school community in partnership with students, parents, and caregivers can RPS create and maintain the level of safety that we want for our children.”

RPS Superintendent Kent Pekel stated he is proud about how the staff and students handled the incident.

“Students need to know that when you’re keeping your schools safe, you’re not snitching,” Pekel said. “You are actually doing the right thing.

“… we would rather have them report it then sort of keeping it to themselves.”