Lincoln Police Department investigating security incident at Belmont Elementary

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Police Department is investigating a security incident Thursday afternoon at Belmont Elementary School.

Officials said just after 12:30 p.m., it was reported to staff that a student showed other students what they thought was a toy gun.

Teachers and administrators searched and interviewed the student, but nothing was found, according to Lincoln Public Schools.

LPS said all the areas the student had been were searched as well, but nothing was found.

At 1:25 p.m., a student found a handgun in the bathroom and gave it to a staff member to keep locked in the office, LPS said.

The Standard Response Protocol of Hold was used to keep students in their classrooms and the hallways cleared, according to officials.

LPD was called and they searched the school for any other potential concerns.

Police said the handgun was real, but it was non-functional and wasn’t loaded.

The student who brought the gun was identified and their family has been contacted, according to LPS.

Belmont Assistant Principal Amy Dixon wrote to families in an e-mail:

“Families, we know this is concerning news to hear. We are very proud of the students who reported the safety concern to staff when they felt unsafe. It is the important work of our staff at Belmont in building trusting relationships with our students that lead to this serious situation being resolved without anyone being hurt. We are thankful for the quick response by Lincoln Police and their continued collaboration in keeping our students and staff safe.”