Parent of Pilot Butte MS student with loaded handgun cited; Bend Tech Academy student found with airsoft gun

(Update: Adding video; PBMS student's parent cited for improper storage of firearm)

Seventh-grader self-reported gun possession to staff member; others may face charges

BEND, Ore.  (KTVZ) – One day after a 12-year-old student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun from home to Pilot Butte Middle School, police said one parent had been cited for improper storage of a firearm. Meanwhile, a community tip led to confirmation Wednesday that a student at Bend Tech Academy had brought a compressed-air airsoft gun to school, officials said.

While an airsoft gun is a replica and not considered a firearm, they are still not allowed at school, Bend-La Pine Schools spokesman Scott Maben said. Also known as a pellet gun, they commonly shoot plastic spheres, typically propelled by compressed air or springs. 

Meanwhile, Miller confirmed that a parent of the Pilot Butte student was cited for a Class A violation for improper storage of a firearm. The citation is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000.

ORS 166.395 requires that the owner of a firearm keep the gun either in a locked container, a gun room or with a trigger or cable lock.

“Guns need to be secured safely, so minors and others can’t get hold of them,” Miller said.

Other Class A violations in Oregon include a first-offense DUII, reckless driving, eluding a law enforcement officer and driving without a valid license.

The Bend Tech Academy case involving a 17-year-old student will be referred the Deschutes County Juvenile Department, Bend police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

A "safety incident" text massage sent through the BLConnect system said, "Safety students are functioning and students are safe." It urged parents to read the email sent to families by the BTA principal, who said police found "no credible threat" to the school:

"Dear BTA families,

We were made aware through a community tip this morning that one of our students brought an airsoft handgun to campus. Administrators, counselors, and our School Resource Officer team met the student at school and began our safety processes immediately. Our partners at the Bend Police Department have determined there is no credible threat to the BTA community. Due to student privacy laws, we cannot share any additional information about the tip or the student. 

Open communication and trusting relationships between staff and students throughout the district and partnership with law enforcement have created conditions that support the safety of our school community. In situations like this, we depend on our trained staff to utilize our protocols, procedures, and policies to respond quickly and keep our community safe. 

We understand situations like this can be difficult to process. This tool provides some talking points to open the conversation about concerning situations with your student. If you believe you need additional resources and support, please communicate with us here at BTA.

Thank you for your understanding and support of the Bend Tech Academy community.

Dr. LaKisha Clark

Principal 

Bend Tech Academy"

As for school repercussions for the two students, school district spokesman Scott Maben said, "We apply our Student Code of Conduct in these situations, and that could include discipline up to suspension or expulsion. Those procedures remain confidential, so I can’t share details on the specific outcome." 

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Earlier story:

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A 12-year-old Pilot Butte Middle School student was arrested Monday morning when the juvenile told a staff member they had a loaded handgun in their possession, police and Bend-La Pine Schools reported. The school district said the student brought the gun from home.

A Bend Police school resource officer was on campus at the time and responded to a radio call from the staff member, a teacher who had immediately taken the seventh-grade student outside the building and called for help, they said.

The SRO confiscated the handgun and took the child into custody without incident, according to a joint release from Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller and Bend-La Pine Schools Assistant Director of Communications Becca Burda.

“How the student accessed the firearm is currently under investigation,” they said, adding, “At this time, we believe the student was acting alone."

The student's gender was not released.

The incident remains under investigation, the release stated. The student was interviewed, then taken to the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Facility.

“Additional charges may be forthcoming against additional people,” the joint statement concluded.

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Letter sent home to Pilot Butte Middle School families

"Dear Pilot Butte families,

This morning we had a serious safety incident at Pilot Butte. A student self-reported being in possession of a loaded handgun brought from home. The student reported it to a trusted adult, a teacher who immediately escorted the student from the building, contacted school administrators and our Student Resource Officer. Additional Bend Police Department personnel and SROs responded. Students and staff are safe and school is operating as usual today.

The student is in police custody and Bend Police began an investigation immediately. Upon notification to our school team this morning, we began our safety processes without delay. This is both in support of student safety and the ongoing investigation. Due to student privacy laws, we cannot share any additional information about this incident.

“The Bend Police Department works closely with Bend - La Pine Schools and takes these threats extremely seriously,” Lt. Brian Beekman said. “We will investigate this incident thoroughly in partnership with the District.”

We take the safety of our students, staff, and families seriously, every day. Anytime we learn about a potential threat at school, we follow policy, procedures, and practices. Our layered safety systems, partnership with law enforcement, and fostering trust and open communication between staff and students created a situation that supported the safety of our school community.

Every threat is investigated by our school’s threat assessment team, which provides safety recommendations and resources for those involved and for the entire school community.

Our Student Services team will be available to help support students and families. The district now has counselors available for students and staff immediately and for the coming days.

I know this information is alarming to hear. It’s deeply upsetting to me and our staff at Pilot Butte who work every day to make it a safe and welcoming place for our students. I also know that our students and families will have many questions about today’s incident. This is an active investigation, and we are still seeking answers. When we are able, we will provide more information for you.

Dr. Steven Cook

Superintendent

Bend - La Pine Schools"