The Garden City Telegram

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Police, district respond to rumors of possible shooting

Published 3/8/2010 in Local News

By RACHAEL GRAY and MONICA SPRINGER

Staff writers

Garden City police believe that reports Friday afternoon of two men with a rifle being in the area of Garden City High School, and the subsequent arrest of one of the men, may have led to rumors this morning of a shooting being planned at the school.

The Garden City Police Department and USD 457 were working together to take precautionary measures this morning after police were notified of rumors that a shooting might take place at the school. Police notified the district this morning about the rumors, but Garden City police Sgt. Michael Reagle said police had no credible information to substantiate the rumors.

"We have no credible information that there was going to be or is going to be (a shooting)," Reagle said this morning.

Reagle said police believe the arrest of a 20-year-old transient Friday afternoon may have led to the rumors.

Kyle Wagner was arrested at 3:07 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of North Fourth Street on allegations of criminal use of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Reagle said Wagner allegedly had a concealed dagger and .3 grams of suspected marijuana.

The police received information at 2:58 p.m. Friday of two white males dressed in all black carrying a shotgun in the 1100 block of North Main Street near the high school.

Police located the two men, one of whom was Wagner, in the 900 block of North Fourth Street walking southbound away from the school. Reagle said neither man had a shotgun or rifle with them.

Wagner was arrested and the other man was released.

Reagle said police determined that the men had been carrying a .22-caliber rifle earlier and had dropped it off at a house.

After the incident, law enforcement heard rumors about a possible shooting being planned at the high school. The Finney County Sheriff's Office notified the GCPD about the rumors.

Reagle said police have no concrete information that the arrest Friday is connected to the rumors.

In light of the rumors, the school district is being more vigilant, said Roy Cessna, USD 457 public information officer. The schools remained open today and not in lockdown, but district officials contacted all school buildings and asked that staff be extra vigilant and aware of their surroundings, he said.

Reagle said school resource officers are doing extra patrols throughout the district today.

Cessna said the district also was sending a note home with students today, informing parents that the district is cooperating with the police department and is on a heightened awareness.

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