AUBURN — Edward Little High School was locked down for about 10 minutes Friday when a student pocket-dialed 911 and the dispatcher, overhearing a conversation through the open line, thought someone said the word “gun.”
The student actually said “gum.”
The incident happened around 2 p.m. as students were getting ready to leave for the day.
Superintendent Katy Grondin said the 911 dispatcher contacted the school resource officer. The officer requested a building lockdown and went to find the student.
The student was standing outside, waiting to go home. Auburn police Chief Phillip Crowell said the boy’s cellphone was still in his back pocket when the school resource officer found him.
“The student was like, ‘What do you mean my phone’s on?’ Had no idea,” Grondin said.
The student told the officer he’d been talking about gum, not a gun.
“Gum had fallen out of his mouth and he said, ‘My gum fell out,'” Grondin said.
Afternoon buses were “barely delayed,” Grondin said. The school system notified parents Friday that there had been a situation but everything was fine.
Grondin said the school followed safety procedures.
“We’re thankful it was just a misunderstanding,” she said.
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