Corning High locked down due to gun threat

Corning High School locked down for about and hour today when a student reported hearing a rumor that another student was bringing a gun to school, said Corning police Chief Don Atkins.

“The rumor appeared to be third-hand, but all such incidents are taking very seriously,” Atkins said.

He said school staff received the student report around 7:50 a.m. “that a 16-year-old male student was bringing a gun to the school.”

Corning police School Resource Officer Dave Pryatel was informed and the school was locked down.

The name of the teen who was reportedly bringing the gun on campus was not released due to his age.

Pryatel, the school’s on-campus Tehama County probation officer and two other on-duty Corning police officers set up a perimeter around the school, not allowing anyone on or off campus.

“When the student didn’t show up, myself and officers began a search for him,” Atkins said.

The boy was located at another student’s residence and interviewed by police.

“He denied making any comments about bringing a gun to school,” Atkins said. “Basically, he and his friend were playing hooky from school because it was Friday and ‘the end of the world.’

Atkins said the student had no idea why another student would say he was bringing a gun to school.

Atkins said the student is “a regular student who hadn’t ever been in trouble before.”

No weapon was located at the boy’s residence or his friend’s residence, where the 16-year-old had spent the night with his mother’s permission, Atkins said.

“She knew her son was playing hooky,” the chief added.

The boy was released to his mother, who was “not very happy with the situation,” according to Atkins.

The lockdown was lifted just before 9 a.m.

Atkins said the department is continuing to investigate where the rumor originated.

Administration at Corning High School could not be reached for comment.