West Valley City, Utah, experienced a moment of alarm when three students from Granger High School were injured in a shooting incident involving an Airsoft gun. The event unfolded on Tuesday, with police now actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Ben Horsley, a spokesperson for the Granite School District, confirmed that the injured parties were students at the high school. The details regarding whether the suspect is also a student have not been disclosed as the investigation continues. Notably, the school did not go into lockdown following the incident, a decision that has sparked discussions about safety protocols.
The incident began with an altercation involving the students and escalated when the Airsoft gun was discharged, leading to panic and confusion as students and staff fled the area. Authorities reported that the individuals responsible for the shooting fled the scene immediately after the confrontation.
The injuries sustained by the students were reported as minor, and they have been treated at a local hospital. The use of an Airsoft gun, which mimics the appearance and function of real firearms but shoots non-lethal plastic pellets, was confirmed by Horsley.
This incident raises concerns about the presence of such weapons in school settings and their potential to cause harm and disruption. The identities of both the victims and the suspects remain undisclosed as the police urge anyone with information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Granger High School, where the incident occurred, is a significant institution in West Valley City, with a student body of 3,155 and a staff of 123 instructors as of the 2019–2020 academic year. The school community is now grappling with the implications of this event as local authorities work to ensure a safe environment for all students.
