Schools

Two weapons incidents in two days at Roseville Area Middle School

Quick thinking, student trust, and school systems worked together for a safe outcome.

Naomi Krueger

19 Mar 2026 — 6 min read

The entrance to Roseville Area Middle School | credit: Naomi Krueger/The Roseville Reader

The Roseville Police Department is currently investigating two separate incidents involving weapons found in the possession of students from Roseville Area Middle School on March 17 and March 18.

Thanks to quick thinking, trust built between students and staff, and existing school protocols, the incidents were both resolved safely.

"Our systems work. The things we've set up for safety around situations like this are working. That's why we were able to find two guns back to back," said Delon Smith, associate superintendent at Roseville Area Schools.

At the end of the school day on March 17, a student reported information to a staff member at RAMS suggesting a student may have brought a weapon to school.

School administrators worked with the RAMS School Resource Officer to investigate. Additional information led to Roseville police officers apprehending a student off-campus and recovering an unloaded BB gun, according to an email sent to RAMS families from Principal Heidi George and Associate Principal Joe Bue.

"This matter was brought to our attention because a student felt empowered to report their concerns to trusted adults. We deeply value these relationships, as they are essential to the safety of our school community," George and Bue wrote.

On March 18 during school, a student reported a concern to the main office at RAMS that another student may be in possession of a weapon. Administrators and the SRO investigated and located the student who was found to be in possession of a gun. The weapon was secured and the student was taken for questioning, according to an email to RAMS families.

Everything happened so quickly there was no need for a lockdown or disrupting the school day for the rest of the students, Smith told The Roseville Reader.

There was an adult at RAMS who knew the student and could have the conversation with them immediately. That student trusted the staff member and went with that staff member without incident.

"It really speaks to the power of relationships," Smith said.

There was no indication that there was an intent to use the weapon at school, according to school administrators.

"Regardless of intent, we take situations like this with the utmost seriousness and at no point is it allowed to have weapons in school," George and Bue wrote in the email.

The email continued: "We also recognized that when students feel unsafe in their neighborhoods, it can follow them into school in ways that impact our community."

Violence Prevention

The school district plans to continue to focus on strengthening relationships, reinforcing access to mental health and social-emotional supports, and partnering with families and community organizations to help students feel safe at home and at school.

"We have the same concerns at church. At the mall. Everywhere. That’s our society. We’re so inundated with guns in our society it’s going to leak into every part of it, including our schools," Smith said.

Principal George emphasized that keeping schools and students safe is a whole community responsibility, not just those within a school building.

"This is a community. We need to wrap our arms around our youth and take care of them," George said.

She encouraged families or community members with questions or concerns to reach out to her directly for a conversation.

“This situation demonstrates the strength of the Roseville Area Middle School community in a very real and powerful way. Students and staff continue to look out for one another, speak up, and respond with care. This doesn’t happen by chance. The collective response reflects the strong relationships our staff build and the trust they foster with students every day," Superintendent Jenny Loeck said in a statement.

Police Investigations

A Roseville Police Department vehicle parked in the RAMS parking lot. | *credit: Naomi Krueger/The Roseville Reader*

The Roseville Police Department is continuing the investigation, including how the students came into possession of the weapons.

Due to the involvement of juveniles and both cases being open investigations, the Roseville Police Department could not share additional information at this time.

"The department recognizes that incidents like these can be concerning for students, families, and staff. We are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment and appreciate the cooperation of those who reported concerns and helped ensure a swift response," Roseville Police Chief Erika Scheider said in an email.

Laws and School Policy

It is a violation of both state and federal law to bring a firearm onto public school property.

Exceptions to this prohibition include possession by a handgun carry permittee who lawfully stores a firearm in a motor vehicle, or while in a motor vehicle, or while directly placing a firearm in or retrieving it from the trunk or rear area of a vehicle.

School boards are required by law to expel any student who brings a firearm to school for at least one year. A school board may modify this expulsion requirement for a pupil on a case-by-case basis. According to Roseville Area Schools Policy 520, the expulsion requirement can be modified by the Superintendent.

In Minnesota it is a gross misdemeanor to negligently store or leave a loaded firearm in a location where a person knows or reasonably should know that a child (under the age of 18) is likely to gain access.