On 12/18/2012 at about 8:12 am, the Simi Valley Police Department received a call of a possible student with a gun at Santa Susana Elementary (4300 Apricot Rd Simi Valley). Multiple Officers responded to the area. During the investigation it was determined that two elementary school students, ages 9 and 10, had both brought airsoft type handguns on the bus when they were traveling to school. Another elementary school student saw the simulated handguns on the bus and appropriately notified school authorities.
The School Resource Officer was able to determine that the children brought the items to school to show each other and no one else. Further, their actions were in no way related to any threat of violence or any other malicious behavior. It should be noted however that the toy guns the students had in their possession were very realistic in appearance, and could easily have been mistaken as real handguns by any civilian or law enforcement officer.
The children who brought the toy weapons were counseled and released to their respective parents as well as receiving immediate suspension from school. It was determined that the parents had no knowledge the children brought the toy guns to school.
In the wake of the recent tragic events in Newtown Connecticut, the Simi Valley Police Department would like to encourage parents to pay close attention to what items their children bring to school. Also encourage your children to be mindful of any item or action that can be construed as threatening, violent, or harmful.
