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Teens brandishing gun at gas station cause school lockdowns
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SCOTTVILLE — Mason County schools went into a secured mode, also called a soft lockdown, this afternoon after two teenagers were involved with brandishing a handgun in a vehicle near the Scottville Wesco gas station. Mason County Central Superintendent Jeff Mount said the teens are not MCC students, but the incident occurred during the school’s lunch hour and was apparently witnesses by several MCC high school students.
The schools were put into soft lockdown as a precaution, Mount said.
“The kids brandishing the pistol came into contact with our students, who immediately then called law enforcement,” Mount said. “We had several witnesses and they all were able to speak to Scottville Police Sgt. Katrina Skinner and deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office.”
Scottville Police Department was dispatched to the high school at 12:54 p.m.
Michigan State Police also assisted and interviewed students at Gateway to Success Academy. Ludington Police Department also assisted.
After reviewing security camera footage, law enforcement began searching for a black Chevrolet, possibly an Impala or a Malibu. Eventually, the two teens, both males from Ludington, ages 16 and 17, were located and brought to the Mason County Jail for interviews, Mount said.
According to a press release from Mason County Sheriff’s Office, the 16-year-old has been placed into custody for a probation violation of unrelated charges and is expected to be transported to the Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center.
“This was a great response from the schools and local law enforcement,” Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said. “Scottville Police Department is taking the lead on this case and we are supporting Sgt. Skinner with any resources and personnel she needs.”
Mount said the stories from all the witnesses corroborated pointing toward the two teens.
Cole said every school in Mason County, public and private, had a police presence as law enforcement was investigating and looking for the suspects.
“This was done out of an abundance of caution,” Cole said. “Our ultimate goal is always to make sure that our children and the school employees are safe.”
Schools were released on time and as normal, with patrol cars at all schools. Mount said following the apprehension of the two suspects that the schools lifted their lockdowns.
Other agencies involved in the incident included Mason-Oceana 911, Mason County Emergency Management and Mason County School Safety Team.
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