Police: Groton Middle School temporarily placed in lockdown after 'gun lock' found; no threats associated with incident

Kimberly Drelich, The Day, New London, Conn.
·1 min read
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Nov. 2—GROTON — Groton Middle School was placed in lockdown for part of the day Thursday, after a "gun lock," a device commonly used to secure a firearm, was found at the school, town police said in a news release.

Police said there were no threats associated with the incident.

According to the release posted on the department's Facebook page, police at about 10:16 a.m. went to the school after a staff member located "an item of concern" in a staircase. Police began investigating, and the members of the Connecticut State Police/Violent Crime Task Force, who were in the area for a separate matter, also responded.

"Out of an abundance of caution," police and school officials did a safety investigation that included "a cursory search of the school to ensure there were no weapons or other dangerous items that could be associated with the abandoned 'gun-lock,'" police said.

Police said there were no additional items of concern and no threats. Police said the lockdown was lifted at 12:50 p.m.

"As was pointed out by our colleagues from Groton Public School, today's situation serves as a reminder that anything that could be a safety concern in our education facilities is taken very seriously by both school officials and police," police said in the news release. "Groton Town Police also encourage families to have candid and appropriate conversations with their children about items that are acceptable to bring to school."

Police ask anyone with information about this incident or any other matter involving concerns about school or public safety in Groton, to contact Groton Town Police at (860) 441-6712.