The Golden Valley Police Department released a statement Wednesday announcing charges have been filed against two Sandburg Middle School students four months after a Nov. 11 incident where a student posted a Snapchat video of himself with a gun apparently inside the school bathroom.
Golden Valley Police Chief Virgil Green said the investigation was initially hampered by a lack of cooperation and information. “Robbinsdale school officials took five days before they notified our department, then refused to turn over the Snapchat video, stating we would need a search warrant even though the video wasn’t on school property but on a student cellphone and posted on Snapchat,” explained Green.
The Robbinsdale school district previously apologized in a statement after parents raised concerns upon learning that school officials knew about the incident but didn’t notify parents.
Once investigators were able to obtain all the information, the Golden Valley Police Department submitted a criminal complaint to the Hennepin County Juvenile Division that led to criminal charges, said Green.
The two male students, who were not named, have each been charged with one felony count of possessing ammunition/pistol/assault weapon-under 18 years old, the statement said.
“We will continue to work closely with the Robbinsdale School District to ensure students and staff are safe at Sandburg,” Chief Green said.
Two additional weapons incidents took place in Robbinsdale schools around the same time.
At the time, Superintendent David Engstrom said the school district was actively reviewing and revising its practices for responding to threats, allegations and images.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
