BEATRICE – An incident where a student displayed a fake gun prompted school officials to lock down a building Wednesday afternoon.

Beatrice Middle School was placed in a lockdown after the 2:12 p.m. dismissal of classes for the day.

Superintendent Jason Alexander says a student came back onto Beatrice Middle School grounds with what was described as a  fake pistol and pointed it at students. Staff immediately intervened by placing the school in lockdown.

Beatrice Police immediately took control of the situation.  Police headquarters is next to the school and Beatrice Middle School employs a school resource officer.

The school was in lockdown for approximately 10 minutes while staff and administration worked with emergency personnel to respond to the situation.  Alexander said all Beatrice Public School parents, staff and students were informed as soon as all the details of the occurrence were available. 

Beatrice Middle School plans to have crisis team members available as needed Thursday for student and staff support.   It is the final day of the school year….a half-day for students.