A 12-year-old boy was removed from an International Falls school Dec. 5 after school officials saw that he had with him what appeared to be a hit list and knives.
International Falls Police Capt. Tom Lynch and Falls Superintendent Nordy Nelson confirmed that the student was removed from school by police after school officials saw on his desk and in a backpack two hunting-type knives and a “list of people he wanted to harm” that contained the names of other students and a teacher, said Lynch.
Nelson said staff reported it to the principal who called the police.
No information was offered by the student for his reasons for having the list and weapons, said Nelson.
“In this case, there were no other students involved, just the list laying on his desk,” Nelson said.
Lynch said he believed the child had been involved in some sort of bullying incident.
Lynch said school officials and police take such incidents seriously. He said this kind of incident is isolated and could not recall another similar incident at the Falls schools. Previously, he said, students have brought buck knives to school, but he called those cases an oversight by the students, who did not intend to bring the knives to school.
All weapons are prohibited from being taken into the school, he noted. Bringing a weapon to school could result in expulsion for five days, he said.
In this case, Lynch said the boy’s guardian, an uncle, was contacted and then a meeting between a local judge and the boy’s mother occurred. Normally, Lynch said such an incident would involve sending the boy to the Arrowhead Juvenile Corrections facility for counseling and care in a controlled, secure facility. He said another course of action thought best for the child was taken following the meeting with the parent and judge.
Meanwhile, Lynch and Nelson encouraged parents to be aware of how their children feel about what is happening at their school.
“Inquire how things are going at school,” urged Lynch. “Take an active part and ask if there are issues at school, if people are bothering or bullying them, let them know you are interested. If something is going on, a parent can send an email to a teacher and get an issue resolved before it escalates.”
Nelson said it’s important that people openly communicate with their children. “If they feel there is anything going on, or they don’t know, they need to contact a teacher that may be in the conversation or visit with the principal if they have a hunch or a feeling and really take an active part in getting to the bottom of something, if they feel there is something going on or their child is hinting at something going on,” said Nelson.
He also encouraged parents to explain to their children that school officials are there to help and support them and really want to know if things are going on in school, after school, during the summers or in the evenings.
“We need to know so we can help you and be a part of the resolution,” said Nelson. “We’re interested in getting something taken care of, if it needs to be, and it’s really important for that communication, and we wish more people would do it.”
