NEW ULM — Jefferson Middle School was briefly placed on lockdown Friday after a student found an empty shell casing behind a door on school property.
The student who found the shell casing alerted a teacher, who in turn alerted the Jefferson administration. Schools on the main campus were placed on lockdown as a precaution while law enforcement and administration conducted interviews and searched areas.
After further questioning and a search of personal belongings and lockers, only the shell casing was found. No firearms were found at the school.
Once the building was deemed safe, all lockdowns were lifted and school returned to a regular session.
Supt. Jeff Bertrang said the incident was initially reported at 9:23 a.m. and the lockdown was lifted at 10:08 a.m. less than an hour later.
In a message to parents, Lt. Inspector Bertrang said:
“We take all reports seriously and encourage parents to have conversations with their students about guns, ammunition and anything resembling a gun and how to keep them from being brought to school.” We appreciate that a student came forward with concerns and reported the concerns to a teacher and administration.”