School incidents trigger police inquiries

MAT-SU -- Three unrelated incidents at Valley schools are under police investigation, one involving a junior high student who brought what appeared to be a large-caliber handgun to school with him.

An eighth-grade boy brought his BB gun to Palmer Junior Middle School Wednesday, which prompted school authorities to contact Palmer police.

An officer's report will be filed with juvenile intake, to determine what should be done in the matter, said Palmer Police Chief Russ Boatright.

The Frontiersman on Friday received a call from a concerned parent saying a .45-caliber handgun had been found in a student's locker. Boatright said the gun the boy had looked real, but turned out to be a BB gun.

A fight broke out between two boys late last week during a dance at PJMS. Palmer police were alerted after the fact, Boatright said. One boy's injuries amounted to having teeth knocked out. That case is also being investigated to determine whether charges should be filed.

A third incident, at Wasilla High School, occurred when someone shot out two school windows while school was not in session. Wasilla police are investigating that incident.

Mat-Su Borough School District officials did not immediately return phone calls placed to them Friday.