Student said they had a gun on bus, official said

GUILFORD — Police were notified after a Guilford High School student said they had a gun while boarding a bus after school Thursday, according to a school official.

As students were getting on the bus Thursday, one student called out that they had a gun, Guilford High School Principal Julia Chaffe said in an email to parents Friday evening.

The bus driver called for an administrator, and administrators took the student from the bus. Officials also notified police of the incident and said law enforcement followed up with the student and their family. Police are also continuing to speak with students who were on the bus at the time, according to Chaffe.

“At no time were students in danger, nor do we have any indication that there was an actual threat,” she said in the email. “School administrators have addressed the incident with the student and their family to ensure that all students at GHS remain safe.”

Guilford Public Schools Superintendent Paul Freeman said there was no gun on campus.

“A student made a very unfortunate comment that police and administration responded immediately,” he said.

The Guilford Police Department was not immediately available to respond for comment Friday night.

Chaffe advised parents to talk to their children about “the serious nature of joking about guns or gun violence.”

If a student is concerned that someone may threaten themselves or the school community, Chaffe asked them to report it to an administrator or School Resource Officer Gingras. Gingras can be reached from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at GingrasS@GuilfordSchools.org.

Anonymous reports can also be made through the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System at www.SandyHook

Promise.org/SaySomething-Tips.

“As always, our students’ safety is our top priority,” Chaffe said.