Police: North Salem HS student points gun at classmate
»Play Video
SALEM, Ore. -- Police took a North Salem High School student into custody Wednesday after he allegedly pulled out a handgun in a class and pointed it at another student.
Police said at about 10 a.m., the 17-year-old was in class and was seen pointing what appeared to be a handgun toward another student.
Several people and school staff witnessed the incident, police said.
The teen ran away before security could arrive at the class.
Officers continued to check the area and found the teenager several blocks from the school at about 12:25 p.m. Police said he did not have the gun with him.
Police and school officials searched the school. The weapon has not been found.
Police said based on witness information, they believe the weapon was real.
The teenager was taken into custody without incident and will be charged with disorderly conduct, menacing and possession of a firearm in a public building. No one was injured in the incident.
Response by school personnel and the Salem Police was "very rapid," officials said. Police worked quickly with school staff to place North Salem High School and Parrish Middle School into immediate lockdown until the suspect could be located.
The school sent out an automated recording to parents Wednesday afternoon.
Classes resumed as normal following the incident.
Salem Police requests anyone with information on this incident to call 503-588-6123.
KATU's Meghan Kalkstein contributed to this story.
It was found to be a very real looking toy key chain gun, found later in his binder.
Police response was "very rapid", it only took minutes when seconds matter!
I smell a plant, No gun found, means it did not happen.
Hate crime, deport him.
It sure would be nice to know who the student was! Stop being so politically correct!
 @jpk Why are you so obsessed with this? Are you keeping a chart?
He's only a child, don't put his name in the paper, he only took it to school for show and tell. He's not a threat to anyone, poor baby, just a punk with a gun, lock him up!
The last time some skel pointed a gun at me was the last time...
how can they charge him with "possession of a firearm in a public building" if they: A. can't find the ALLEGED weapon, and B he didn't have it?...garbage...
 @Rob Cochran not really... witnesses must have seen him
 @cavtrooper  @Rob Cochran How many times have toys been mistaken for the real thing?
he be guilty