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October 9, 2012

Gun found at Moore school caused lockdown

By Jessica Bruha The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — A loaded gun found at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore caused a lockdown Monday morning.

Moore police said the gun was found in a classroom in a teacher’s chair. It belonged to a teacher’s relative who had been working on a computer over the weekend. The gun apparently fell out of the relative’s pocket, police said.

The school, at 852 W. 11th St., was on lockdown for about three hours. Students arriving at the school were directed to the cafeteria. No Plaza Towers students were around the weapon or in any danger, police said.

Police searched the building and the lockdown ended around 9:40 a.m. Students then returned to their classrooms to finish the regular school day.

A letter from the school sent to parents stated the investigation is ongoing, but there is “no indicator of a threat toward the school.”

Police said they will not know until today if charges are filed against the relative for taking a gun on school property. The district attorney’s office will determine whether charges will be filed.

“We will continue to work with the law enforcement. As always, the safety and security of our students remain our top priority,” read the letter sent to parents.

Parents also received a voice message through a Moore Public Schools’ app this morning that included the same information that was in the letter.

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