Joint Statement from Sutton Police Department and Sutton Public Schools

To:       Sutton Families and Community

From:   Joint statement from Sutton Police Department and Sutton Public Schools

Re:       Today’s reported incident and subsequent lockdown

At 2:05pm today, June 6th, the Sutton Police Department received a 3rd party call about a person walking across one of the school’s fields with a firearm.  Officers from the Sutton Police Department immediately responded to the scene and began searching the property for the person described.  At the same time, the faculty, staff and students who were on site, initiated a district wide lockdown.  Members from the Millbury and Grafton Police Departments also responded to the scene to assist with our investigation in locating the person with the firearm. Keen observations from an elementary school custodian, along with a systematic search of the school property and buildings, led to our officers determining there was not a person with a firearm on the property at any time today.

We would like to thank all the parents for their patience as they waited for the officers to diligently perform their job in searching the school property and ensuring the environment was safe for their children.  Dismissal was challenging but we appreciate all of the extra help from school staff and officers and thank you and the children for showing such patience.  We will continue to work collaboratively to plan for, and provide them with guidance afterward in dealing with these troubling circumstances that are occurring all too often across the country.  The safety of our school community is always of the utmost importance to us as a school district and police department.

Tomorrow morning, June 7th, district administration will meet and review a statement that will be available for teachers and staff to share with students.  Additionally, counseling staff will be on hand to debrief with students who need it.  Otherwise, the day will start just as any other.