APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – What turned out to be a false-report spread quickly at Appleton West’s homecoming dance Saturday.
Juniors Laney Brown and Lily Howard were both there. They spoke to FOX 11
“Two of my friends came up to me, and said, ‘Guys somebody has a gun,” says Brown.
“I heard there was a gun. I said that’s not good. I was kind of sketched out by that,” said Howard.
District assistant superintendent, James Huggins, says a student at the dance reported seeing someone with a gun.
“There was a false report that happened at the dance.”
Huggins says three Appleton police offficers were at the dance, as part of the district’s normal security practices.
“It was investigated quickly and proved to be false.”
He says the district has several policies in place to make sure students stay safe.
“There are check-in processes that happen at all of our dances, one of those measures in place.”
Appleton West’s principal, Mark McQuade, sent a message to parents. Stating in part,
“We take safety and security very seriously, and at no time was anybody at the dance in danger.”
Huggins says notifications were also put up on both the district’s and school’s websites.
“I think it’s always important that you can communicate, and provide that information.”
Howard and Brown say they won’t let this experience stop them from attending future events.
The district would not say anything about the student who reported seeing the gun. That includes any potential disciplinary measures.
